As his cousin embarks on a presidential campaign, former Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) is focusing on destigmatizing addiction and mental health issues. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Kennedy shared insights from his personal struggles during his eight terms in Congress and emphasized the widespread, often silent suffering many endure.
“What I realized is that all of us are walking through hallways not realizing how many of the rest of us are silently suffering,” Kennedy remarked, reflecting on his journey and the experiences of others.
Kennedy, who was first elected in 1994, faced his own public battle with addiction. In May 2006, he was arrested after crashing into a traffic barrier on Capitol Hill and subsequently sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic’s drug-rehabilitation center, a facility he would return to in 2009. A year later, he announced his retirement from Congress.
Kennedy’s latest endeavor is his new book, “Profiles in Mental Health Courage,” co-authored with Stephen Fried. The title pays homage to President John F. Kennedy’s 1956 book “Profiles in Courage,” which highlighted the bravery of various senators. Kennedy’s book aims to shed light on individuals confronting personal challenges and the ripple effects on those around them.
“Often, in these narratives, we focus on the first person memoir, but we lose sight of all the other people who are affected by their illness,” Kennedy told host Dana Bash. “And I think that was the consistent theme throughout the book is, we really interviewed all the family members and co-workers, colleagues, because we really don’t have an appreciation for how this illness, which we say is one in four, is really one in one, because it affects everyone around the person who’s suffering.”
Kennedy also highlighted the role of public policy in addressing addiction and mental health issues. He criticized industries profiting from addiction, particularly social media and gambling, drawing parallels to the tactics used by the tobacco industry.
“As a nation, the adults are letting the next generation down, because here we are having addiction-for-profit industries,” he said. “And it doesn’t just end with social media. Every other ad is from sports betting, and gambling is a major mental health problem. And it’s only going to increase because, like we learned with big tobacco, these companies that make money make money off of getting new subscribers, new people to smoke cigarettes, new people to smoke marijuana.”
Kennedy, the son of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), expressed disappointment in the current political landscape, particularly with Democrats’ approach to combating corporate interests tied to addiction.
“Democrats used to be on the side of taking on corporate, big addiction-for-profit companies. And, unfortunately, I think we’re letting down our next generation by letting that all happen.”
Regarding the 2024 presidential election, Kennedy is supporting President Joe Biden over his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent. Kennedy praised Biden’s commitment to mental health.
“Joe Biden has been the best president we have ever had on mental health,” he told Bash, firmly endorsing Biden: “He’s the best.”
