The Honorable 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 three (soon to be four) children.

Books by Patrick J. Kennedy

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

by Patrick J. Kennedy and Stephen Fried - Nonfiction

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 country alongside his and every family's private struggles. Beyond his own story, he 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 bestselling author Stephen Fried, A COMMON STRUGGLE is both a cry for empathy and a call to action.