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

"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

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 four children.
www.patrickjkennedy.net
 
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.
www.stephenfried.com
From the Hardcover edition.