A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction - Softcover

Patrick J. Kennedy; Stephen Fried

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0399185712 ISBN 13: 9780399185717

Publisher: Blue Rider Press, 2016

Synopsis

Patrick J. Kennedy, the former congressman and youngest child of Senator Ted Kennedy, details his personal and political battle with mental illness and addiction, exploring mental health care's history in the USA alongside his and every family's private struggles.

On May 5, 2006, the New York Times ran two stories, 'Patrick Kennedy Crashes Car into Capitol Barrier' and then, several hours later, 'Patrick Kennedy Says He'll Seek Help for Addiction.' It was the first time that the popular Rhode Island congressman had publicly disclosed his addiction to prescription painkillers, the true extent of his struggle with bipolar disorder and his plan to immediately seek treatment. That could have been the end of his career, but instead it was the beginning.

Since then, Kennedy has become the nation's leading advocate for mental health and substance abuse care, research and policy both in and out of Congress. And ever since passing the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act - and after the death of his father, leaving Congress - he has been changing the dialogue that surrounds all brain diseases. A Common Struggle weaves together Kennedy's private and professional narratives, echoing Kennedy's philosophy that, for him, the personal is political and the political personal. Focusing on the years from his 'coming out' about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction to the present day, the book examines Kennedy's journey toward recovery and reflects on Americans' propensity to treat mental illnesses as 'family secrets'.

Beyond his own story, though, Kennedy creates a roadmap for equality in the mental health community, and outlines a bold plan for the future of mental health policy. Written with award-winning healthcare journalist and best-selling author Stephen Fried, A Common Struggle is both a cry for empathy and a call to action.

About this title

Review:

"A stunningly unvarnished portrait of one of America's most private public families..." -- People
"Searching and fearless."-- Kevin Cullen,The Boston Globe

"I, am personally, really proud of Patrick. I think what he's doing is consistent with everything that my family has stood for... he needed to start that journey by telling his own story of mental illness. I think it's noble, and it's heroic, and I have nothing but admiration
for him." -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Ring of Fire radio

"[Patrick Kennedy] has undeniably turned his fame toward a good cause of raising understanding about the prevalence of mental illness and addiction in our society, and the need to help our brothers and sisters who cannot help themselves. There are easier ways to make money than speaking out honestly about one's own life, and we admire the courage Mr. Kennedy has shown in discussing these difficult issues." -- Editorial Board, Providence Journal


"Fascinating ... This book is a must-read, not only for those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders, but also for the professionals who treat them and for those who pay for that treatment." -- Dr. George Koob, Director National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Clinical Psychiatry News

"Kennedy's eye-opening book is a public call for action. Common Struggle also is a call for understanding, not only for those with mental illness, but for all those affected by the mostly misunderstood, and often devastating, illness. As Kennedy points out, no one is immune from mental illness." -- Wichita Times

"His new memoir, which recounts the troubles he and his famous family experienced, will help move the needle when it comes to public policy regarding mental health and substance abuse.... it shine[s] a needed light on a serious problem." -- Editorial Board, The Oklahoman

"If your readers do nothing else today, they should buy or order this remarkable book ... I always admired Kennedy's passion and willingness to fight not only on mental illness issues but also such topics as gay rights and gun control. This book should enhance your understanding andappreciation of the work he did in Congress and the ambitious mental health initiatives he is leading now. And for the happiness of his marriage and fatherhood..." -- Charlie Bakst, on WPRI TV blog

"I think Patrick Kennedy is quite courageous for bringing this book out... What he is doing is really the equivalent of what Betty Ford did when she exposed her own alcoholism." -- Dr. Thomas McLelland, former deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, on MSNBC

"Patrick Kennedy should receive a profile in courage award for his book, A Common Struggle." -- Dan Rea, CBS-TV Boston

About the Author:

Patrick J. Kennedy is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the nation's leading political voice on mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases. During his 16-year career representing Rhode Island in Congress, he fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against these illnesses, highlighted by his lead sponsorship of the Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act of 2008 - and his brave openness about his own health challenges. The son of Senator Edward Ted Kennedy, he decided to leave Congress not long after his father's death to devote his career to advocacy for brain diseases and to create a new, healthier life and start a family. He has since founded the Kennedy Forum, which unites the community of mental health, and co-founded One Mind for Research, which sponsors brain research and open science collaboration. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Amy, and their four children.
Stephen Fried is an award-winning magazine journalist, a best-selling author and an adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is the author of two books on healthcare, mental health and addiction - Bitter Pills: Inside the Hazardous World of Legal Drugs and Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia as well as The New Rabbi, Husbandry and his recent historical biography Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the Wild West One Meal at a Time, which was a New York Times bestseller. Fried lives in Philadelphia with his wife, author Diane Ayres.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blue Rider Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0399185712
• ISBN 13: 9780399185717
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 432