Now that U.S Rep. Patrick Kennedy is not running for re-election, what happens to the issues he fought for?
Over the years, the congressman was an outspoken advocate for those with mental health problems.
It has been a highly public and personal journey, as he dealt with his own battle with addiction and depression. He took voluntary time-outs to get help.
But more importantly, he's been instrumental in raising awareness and getting funding to help reform our mental health care system.
"It is my hope that someday when mental health finally gets recognized on the national level for being a physical illness, that we in Rhode Island will lead the way in evidence-based medicine, in determining not just that we need to treat people, but that we need to do it in the right way," Kennedy said on Nov 3, 2005.
He's also had his own struggles.
"Over my 15 years in public life, I felt a responsibility to speak honestly and openly about the challenges that I have with addiction and depression. I have been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man," Kennedy said May 5, 2006, when he announced he was seeking addiction treatment at the Mayo Clinic.
Mental health care providers say Kennedy portrayed -- very publicly -- the human side of mental illness. And how, even when you fall, there's hope of getting back up.
"We are losing the biggest advocate we have for mental health in Congress. There's no question about that," said Dr. Patricia Recupero, president and chief executive of Butler Hospital.
Recupero said Kennedy's legacy in promoting mental health issues is remarkable.
"Getting the parity bill passed is something that will help hundreds of thousands of people and will continue to help people for many, many years to come. He's got a lot to be proud of, and his personal courage in acknowledging his limitations and working to overcome them is a model for us all, really," Recupero said.
Recupero said she's encouraged by the fact that Kennedy says he wants to continue his work as an advocate in the area of mental health.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement