Jesse Jackson Speaks On His Son's Depression: 'Something Much Deeper'

Activist steps into father role.

For the first time since his son was hospitalized in July, Rev. Jesse Jackson is opening up about Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s abrupt leave of absence and the reasons behind it.

"What we thought to be quote-unquote exhaustion was something much deeper, much broader and it lasted much longer," he told Huffington Post on Thursday.

After weeks of speculation, it was finally revealed that Jackson, Jr. was suffering from depression and gastrointestinal issues. 

When asked if the investigation into his son's involvement in the Rod Blagojevich scandal where Jackson, Jr. is being accused of trying to buy the U.S. Senate seat President Obama vacated upon his election, the elder Jackson had no answer.

"That's for the psychiatrist to deal with," Jackson said. "You don't quite know. And so I leave that type of analysis to the doctors."