WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, one of the nation's leading political voices on mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases, will discuss the progress made and major challenges ahead for their care and treatment—the subject of his new book A COMMON STRUGGLE--on November 5 at the National Press Club.
Mr. Kennedy represented the state of Rhode Island for 16 years and fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases-- 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 left 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.
A COMMON STRUGGLE: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction (Blue Rider Press; October 5. 2015)—which combines his mental health and addiction memoir with his bold policy call to action, and was co-written with journalist Stephen Fried--is being published on October 5. And this fall, Mr. Kennedy is leading a coalition to mount a grassroots campaign to make mental health and addiction top domestic priorities in the 2016 election.
This Newsmakers news conference is scheduled for Thursday, November 5 at 9:30 a.m. in the club's Fourth Estate Restaurant on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Like all Newsmakers events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.
Contact:
Tony Gallo NPC Newsmakers Event Host
202 -544-6973, [email protected]
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SOURCE National Press Club
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