Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Mother Says Son Dealing With 'Disappointments'

The mother of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Friday weighed in on the recent disclosure of her son's treatment for a mood disorder while speaking at the Rainbow PUSH coalition conference in Chicago.

Addressing the conference, Jackie Jackson said her son "is unwell, and he needs a moment to heal," ABC Chicago reports. She went on to comment that the Chicago Democrat has dealt with "enormous" political disappointments in recent years that may have contributed to his condition.

"He thought he was going to be the senator - thought he was going to have a chance to run for mayor," Jackie Jackson said, according to the station. "And young people don't bounce back with disappointment like me and my husband."

The remarks were Jackie Jackson's first since the congressman took a leave of absence due, initially, to "exhaustion." She did not offer any additional details about his condition.

After Democratic leaders in Congress ratcheted up pressure, his office released a statement Wednesday reporting that Jackson, 47, is receiving "intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder. He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery."

As that statement did not offer additional details about Jackson's specific whereabouts or the name of his doctor, the disclosure still leaves many questions about his medical leave unanswered.

The congressman's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, on Thursday said at an unrelated media event that his son "needs and deserves privacy." Jackson previously commented that it was "inappropriate" for him to discuss his son's condition.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, too, on Thursday urged patience and some privacy as Jackson recovers.

"I know a lot of people are saying when is he going to get back to work, he should get back to work -- why would he go back to work to a Congress that does no work," Emanuel said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "Why rush? Take care of your health. Guess what? Congress is going to be there."

Related on HuffPost:

• Jesse Jackson Jr.

  FILE - In this May 16, 2011 file photo, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. attends ceremonies for Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel in Chicago. On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, Jackson's staff said they soon could have more information to release about the Chicago Democrat's medical condition. Jackson's been on medical leave for a month, but his location and exact ailment haven't been disclosed. Initially, staff said he was being treated for exhaustion. But last week they said his condition was worse than previously thought and required inpatient treatment. They also disclosed Jackson has been battling emotional problems. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

• Jesse Jackson Jr.

  FILE - In this Tuesday, March 20, 2012 file photo, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., thanks supporters at his election night party in Chicago. Jackson's office announced Monday, June 25, 2012 in a news release that the congressman has been on a medical leave of absence since June 10 and is being treated for exhaustion. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

• Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson

  U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., and his wife Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, thank family members at his election night party Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in Chicago after his Democratic primary win over challenger, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, in the Illinois' 2nd District. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

• Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson

  U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., and his wife Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, embrace at his election night party Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in Chicago after his Democratic primary win over challenger, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, in the Illinois' 2nd District. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

• Timothy Geithner, Jesse Jackson Jr.

  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, right, declines an offer by U.S. Rep Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., to talk to reporters during a tour of the Ford Motor Company Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, Ill., Wednesday, April 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

• U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson

  U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, ask each other for their support and votes as they arrive at a polling station for early voting, Friday, March 9, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)