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

"Searching and fearless." "--The Boston Globe" "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. "A 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 and appreciation 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 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. "A 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 " [a] stunningly unvarnished portrait of one of America s most private public families...*" --People magazine "Searching and fearless.""--"Kevin Cullen," The Boston Globe" Patrick Kennedy has shown great courage in telling his story. Althoughhis conclusions about some family members certainly are not the words ofa medical expert, he is telling us all that addiction and mental illnesscan touch any family -- even one of the country's most pre-eminent political families -- and that silence often only prolongs the suffering. --Michelle R. Smith, "Fitchburg Sentinel" 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 " 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, retired Providence Journal political columnist, 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 Boston " "Patrick Kennedy should receive a profile in courage award for his book, A Common Struggle..." -- Dan Rea, CBS Boston I, am personally, really proud of Patrick. I think what he s doing is consistent with everything that my family has stood for. He s fighting for an issue that he s passionate about, which is civil rights for people with mental illnesses, and trying to bring those people into America s democratic fold. ... Under the law, people with mental illnesses are entitled to health insurance. They re entitled to treatment in hospitals, but the insurance companies systematically deny them, believing that they ll be too ashamed or too fragile to stand up for themselves. Patrick s effort is to say, We re coming out of the darkness. People who have these illnesses have a right to treatment. They are our brothers. They are our sisters. We need to take care of them as Americans. Patrick has stood up to say, I have this illness myself. He is giving other people the courage to do the same. I think 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 "Talking openly now about his struggle with addiction, one day at a time, he seems a happier and more fulfilled person. And he 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 " 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. Needed most, though, are real and lasting policy changes at the state and federal levels to provide help and hope for those who seek it. --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 and appreciation 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, retired Providence Journal political columnist, on WPRI TV blog Patrick Kennedy has shown great courage in telling his story. Although his conclusions about some family members certainly are not the words of a medical expert, he is telling us all that addiction and mental illness can touch any family -- even one of the country's most pre-eminent political families -- and that silence often only prolongs the suffering. --Michelle R. Smith, "Associated Press" "Searching and fearless." "--"Kevin Cullen," The Boston Globe""

Patrick J. Kennedy, the former congressman and youngest child of Senator Ted Kennedy, opens up about his personal and political battle with mental illness and addiction for the first time. This candid memoir focuses on the years from his 'coming out' about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction to the present day, and examines his journey toward recovery while reflecting on America's treatment of mental health.