Profiles in Mental Health Courage

by Patrick J. Kennedy, Stephen Fried

Profiles in Mental Health Courage portrays the dramatic journeys of a diverse group of Americans who have struggled with their mental health. This book offers deeply compelling stories about the bravery and resilience of those living with a variety of mental illnesses and addictions.

Several years ago, Patrick J. Kennedy shared the story of his personal and family challenges with mental illness and addiction—and the nation’s—in his bestselling memoir, A Common Struggle . Now, he and his Common Struggle coauthor, award-winning healthcare journalist Stephen Fried, have crafted this powerful new book sharing the untold stories of others—a special group who agreed to talk about their illnesses, treatments, and struggles for the first time.

When Kennedy’s uncle, President John F. Kennedy, published his classic book Profiles in Courage , he hoped to inspire “political courage” by telling the stories of brave U.S. senators who changed America. 
 
In Profiles in Mental Health Courage , former Congressman Kennedy adapts his uncle’s idea to inspire the “mental health courage” it takes for those with these conditions to treat their illnesses, and risk telling their stories to help America face its crisis in our families, our workplaces, our jails, and on our streets. The resounding silence surrounding these illnesses remains persistent, and this book takes an unflinching look at the experience of mental illness and addiction that inspires profound connection, empathy, and action.
 
In this book, you’ll meet people of all ages, backgrounds, and futures, across politics and government, Hollywood and the arts, tech and business, sports and science—some recovering, some relapsing, some just barely holding on, but all sharing experiences and insights we need to better understand. You’ll also meet those trying to help them through—parents, siblings, spouses, therapists, bosses, doctors, and friends who create the extended families needed to support care and wellness.
 
The personal stories they share with Kennedy and Fried are intimate, sometimes shocking, always revealing. And they are essential reading for caregivers, family members, policymakers, and the general public—just as they are for those who often feel alone in experiencing these challenges themselves.

Genres: Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health, Professional Development, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read! I went in a little hesitant, knowing that story collections are usually hit or miss for me, but found myself deeply moved by each profile. I also enjoyed how intense, emotional, and difficult to read many of the stories were. It’s easy to think about the complexities in mental health and its subsequent care (or lack thereof in this country) from an objective lens, especially being trained as a public health practitioner, but reading about the struggles and relapses of some of these individuals and families really challenged my perception of those battling mental illness as well as addiction and substance use and made me reflect on some implicit biases that found their way into my thoughts as I was reading. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time.

[Lukas Klessig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-rounded collection of stories featuring a diversity of life experiences and mental health conditions. Seemed too basic in places, but overall fulfilled the promise of showcasing bravery and resilience.

[Jan Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the subject matter is heavy, I have to give a 5 star rating. Mental health isn't easily talked about, and even today there can be a stigma or fear of a stigma if you are trying to keep problems under wraps.
Kennedy took the title from his uncle JFK's book
Profiles in Courage, and applied it to 12 people battling different kinds of mental health and addiction struggles. In finding 12, he had to interview hundreds, and secure their permission to use their real name and real story. Many found it too painful to participate, others felt they would he triggered by reliving past events. And some were afraid their professional life would be in jeopardy if their struggles became known.
(Although most of their coworkers and friends already realized there was a problem going on).
I highly recommend this book. I read a chapter a day. It left me with hope and optimism that mental health is finally being seen for what it is: a disease that can be treated.

[Shawn Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book filled with 12 of the most courageous people who shared their best moments, their challenged moments, their worst moments, their saddest moments and everything in between. Every chapter left me anxious for the next. Every person profiled gave me a glimpse of what they must have felt, lived and experienced. I cried tears of empathy and of sadness throughout the book. EVERYONE, no matter how much you know or don’t know must read this book! A book filled with lived experiences around homelessness, substance use disorder, alcohol use, mental health, suicide, treatment, and managed care. Do not let another week go by without reading this book!!

[Effie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work as a psychiatric RN and am currently working towards my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. This book was gut wrenching to read even though I treat people just like the stories in the book daily. I see so many patients cycle through after getting stabilized and it saddens me to be a front row witness to their struggles. The vulnerability of those who shared their stories in this book is inspiring. I really enjoyed this book and am thankful it was written. While it isn’t an easy read it is so helpful in understanding those around us with mental and substance use disorders.

[Jan Peregrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profiles in Mental Health Courage~~~~

There is no health without mental health, which I quote from the last line of Patrick J. Kennedy's 2024 book Profiles in Mental Health Courage, co-written with Stephen Fried. As he did his other nonfiction books Coming Clean and A Common Struggle. Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and former Congress member, has struggled most of his life with alcohol addiction, bipolar disorder, and depression. For his third book, paying tribute to his uncle who wrote Profiles in Courage, he profiles twelve people he admires for telling him and Stephen their stories of living precariously with mental health problems similar to Patrick's.

One profile is of Stephen's young cousin who killed himself because of his mental health problems. It seems it probably wasn't just severe depression, but that was a big part of it. The authors wanted to show one person who had killed themselves as suicide is tragically the result of mental health problems that are so difficult to recognize, diagnose and treat.

One good friend of Patrick's read what he had allowed the authors to write for his profile and decided he couldn't take the stress of coming out to the world. Every person was personally interviewed, along with their family and friends, and had the option to back out anytime. Some did. Some had relapses during the interviews and the authors saw their mental health fluctuate, often a lifetime reality.

I want to mention that the FDA makes its final decision, for now, about MDMA-assisted therapy on August 11, next Monday, I think. The FDA's Drug Advisory Council voted it down for no good reason I can see. Thousands of Americans kill themselves because of their mental health problems every year and, besides that, millions struggle to live with themselves and others who usually don't understand how they struggle all the time.

This book vividly shows what real Americans with mental health problems are going through long before they know something is wrong with their brains, during years perhaps of getting a diagnosis, and afterwards when they struggle to get better with experimenting of talk therapy and medicine.

I wish one profile at least had tried changing their diets to non-inflammatory ones, but first getting sober and off street drugs must be the priority. I don't believe that our brains are deficient in mind-altering drugs, however, and while those like MDMA, may temporarily help the patient suffer less and not be suicidal or causing self-harm, I believe our brains need proper nutrition with our bodies.

Hopefully MDMA-assisted therapy will be approved. There hasn't been any improvement in mental health treatment in forever and that needs to change. They deserve our respect like other patients and this new book will help you to understand why.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a clinical psychologist, I was happy to have the opportunity to read this book. Along with his co-author, Stephen Fried, Patrick Kennedy has compiled twelve chapters featuring twelve personal stories of mental illness. Throughout the book Kennedy is self-referential, often opening up about his own struggles with alcohol abuse. He and his co-author clearly researched this book thoroughly, not only doing extensive interviews with their chosen subjects but also interviewing a wider circle of family members, friends, and professionals. Although this book provides a clear window into extreme cases of mental illness, it is more of a biography of those featured than a commentary on mental health care in the US. There were some things written that I thought were exaggerated or sensationalist - and in fact at times, reading the book felt like a morbid undertaking, like watching a car wreck. Mental health professionals will likely find nothing of particular surprise here, but those who have been personally impacted by mental illness (either in themselves or someone they care about), may find some comfort in these pages.

[Renz Nikka De Gula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book enlightened me to how mental health is addressed in our country. The stories showed me resilience, struggle, and, honestly, helped change my perspective about seeking mental health help. I found it hard to sympathize with some of the stories, though, such as Henry Platt's. While I understood the pressure and depression, it was hard for me to sympathize with someone whose life is pretty well off in terms of financial status.

[Robyn Williams-haygarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alot of information to understand different aspects of mental health.
As you read, you realize how much we are alike yet different in our walls of life.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty curious about how we handle mental illness in the US, or don't. What do we do, how do we help, people when, say, their minds turn on them? Kennedy's book is a collection of cases about the connection between mental illness and drug abuse. In each case, he touches on system failures and approaches that worked. The case studies were interesting, but I thought the book would be stronger with some analysis.

[Michelle]

This was a very well written compendium of inspiring and heart breaking human experiences. It serves as a reminder that each person we encounter, regardless of life circumstances, may be living through serious pain and trials.

“There is no health without mental health”.

[Denton Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book builds awareness for mental illness and dual diagnosis patients. I have a feeling that dual diagnosis is more common than many people imagine. Highlighting the situation will help solve it.

[Sarah Rhein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book accomplishes its lofty goal of helping people understand the actual, lived challenges of mental illness and addiction, and to learn more about the realities of those challenges and empathize with them. The 12 detailed profiles are raw and heartfelt and cover individuals and families with a wide variety of experiences. They were all inspiring and taught me so much about how people try to navigate treatment options (even the CEO of the American Psychological Association talks about how hard this is!) and support family members during their hardest times, among other things. They also comforted me when I recognized challenges I have seen in my own life and community. I know I will recommend this book to countless others and return to it myself.

[Tom Niebergall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing accurate … not a “fun book” - tough critic.

[Grace K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the writing was a tad more captivating, but overall a really powerful book about mental health in this country. Definitely worth a read for people who don’t feel educated on mental health disorders or substance abuse - parts of it made me so so sad.

[Michelle Paris, JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a 4.5. A 5 for content, and a 4 for the writing.

[Teri Pastorino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening frank conversations about addiction and mental wellness

[Ellen O.]

This is a well-intentioned project but I couldn’t get halfway through despite being familiar over decades with the mental health system (MH) and MH challenges through family and friends’ illnesses and/or substance abuse. I’m also familiar with many mental-health and addiction support programs.
This book seemed overlong at times. An example is when a table or chart would have captured information more readably, but instead, lists in prose drag on. Also, PK’s constantly name-drops. There’s no need to explain how he met every single person in the book and his highly-placed friends and acquaintances.
In short, this book could have used a strong editor to identify exactly who the target reader is and hew it from the start to a reader’s point of view. The profiles (25-plus pages long) are loaded with minutiae, especially about each person's hard times.
A more big-picture view, at shorter length, of each person with a few examples of how they faced and overcame challenges (since the title is “courage,’ after all) would have helped it be more appealing and readable.
The authors certainly tick off the DEI boxes, and any reader may not relate to/be interested in all the profiles.
Surprised there's no resource list. That would have been practical as well as helpful, especially for beginners.
Finally, ego is on display here. The book is more about PK than anyone in it. It can be argued whether PK is, as he says in his own bio, “the nation’s leading voice on mental illness and addiction policy.” Ever heard, for example, of Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy? NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow? Rahul Gupta, White House ONDCP? Saying something like "a recognized expert, a former U.S. congressman, and a person in recovery" would have been more seemly. I'm only vaguely familiar with PK, and that was from a long time ago.

[Kristina Durcakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly genuine and moving book, sharing the stories of twelve individuals and families who have experienced — or are still experiencing — a mental or substance use disorder. In his introduction, Patrick Kennedy notes that the book is intended for both those with personal or professional experience in mental health, and those seeking to better understand these challenges. I belong to the latter group and was initially skeptical that the book would offer more than just awareness or empathy — but it did.

The stories were not only powerful and deeply human, but the authors also did an excellent job of briefly explaining key concepts for lay readers. Whether it was a short paragraph outlining the typical symptoms and onset of a disorder, or a few sentences about different treatment options, these insights added important context without disrupting the flow of the narratives.

Given the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders in the world today, I highly recommend this book as both an informative and engaging read.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I had read the earlier book by Patrick Kennedy, which I found honest and revealing, and because I wanted to follow his work. Also, I need to learn more about mental health, and this was one way to do it. The book, as the title indicates, is a series of profiles of people suffering from mental health issues, often with alcoholism a/o drug abuse as part of the diagnosis. The profiles - the people portrayed - are a nice assortment of varying mental health issues, with an emphasis on alcoholism and drug abuse, or a combination of addiction with other mental health issues. It is well written, with the profiles well chosen. I would have preferred a greater emphasis on a variety of mental health issues without the alcohol/addiction focus because that better reflects what I want to learn about. (I'm pretty well schooled in addiction/alcoholism.) Regardless, this is an excellent book, that I found extremely readable. I would encourage others to try it out.

[Lee Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a follow-up to his memoir about personal and family challenges with mental illness and addiction, Kennedy has compiled diverse and compelling stories of a special group of people who were willing to talk about their own illnesses, treatments and struggles. In a country where mental illness is still not seen as a disease, (despite the fact that we are reaching epic proportions) this book helps illuminate the crisis across America, from homes to workplaces, in jails and out on the streets. This unflinching look at the silent epidemic touching so many individuals and families is inspiring and human, helping us form a connection to something that is all too often simply a headline or a news report, and is so deserving of our attention and focus.

[Claire Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Putting these stories together had to have been extremely taxing. I am just so grateful. This should be required reading.

The author beautifully maintained participant dignity and celebrated the courage of families to share past traumatic experiences and difficult ongoing treatment.

He was also able to summarize and voice some things I’ve experienced but have not been able to put into words. After reading, I feel less alone and more deeply understand medication and treatment difficulties. Even as a family member in the thick of it I haven’t been able to find these insights on my own.

My family could’ve been a chapter with our experience with bipolar disorder, manic episodes, depressive boughts, mother’s suicide, PTSD, grief, etc. All with a daughter with Down syndrome in the mix.

[Bearhands · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensitive, thought-provoking, heart-breaking, book featuring the stories of 12 Americans dealing with a variety of mental health challenges. Each chapter's commitment to authenticity and not easily neat endings gave a true complicated picture to this nation's approach to mental health treatment. This is not a book with policy recommendations, but that's not the purpose. It's a book that tackles human stories directly from those dealing with their health issues, and the community in their orbit. I loved the book and would highly recommend to anyone interested in the American health care system, mental illness, and/or addiction.

[Mark O'brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

We should thank the people who told their stories in this book. It's a dozen examples of drugs, alcohol, mental health, ADHD and other hardships that people and their families and friends encounter. Some try enabling. Some try tough love. But all try.
Many of the stories are about upper-income, educated people who must deal with mental health issues; their experiences show that money is not a guaranteed cure.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Worth reading. Some parts were hard to read. I wish it had gone more into depth about why mental illness happens. A heavy focus on 12 step programs and medication. Those are great options and anyone who needs to should do those but I think it is also worth noting that those treat the symptoms not the underlying mechanism and hopefully one day there will be a way to treat that, maybe through diet or a drug.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent; extremely well-done. The 12 profiles are all diverse, each one heart-breaking and tragic and hard but important to learn about the true nature of mental illness, how it often leads to addiction, and the daily struggle of those who suffer including loved ones. Each of these individuals profiled were extremely vulnerable in sharing, and I imagine some got backlash although I am hopeful less than they would have even 5 years ago. Recommended!

[lindaberlinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent job tackling a very tough subject. This book helps create empathy for those who suffer from mental health issues. I am writing a novel about a pianist who has similar struggles and this book truly helped me understand the interior struggle of it.

[Kemlo]

Read the first chapter, skimmed the rest. Not what I was expecting — was hoping for more analysis (the why) and less academic, detached narration (the what). Also, the courageous people profiled are all so extraordinary, in various ways, that it was hard to relate to their stories.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to take it a chapter at a time with breaks in between because it was pretty depressing, but I found the person who was the most like one of my family members. We were part of a much larger group of a similar population than we were aware of, so the book's mission was accomplished.

[Molly Barrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an important book that humanizes a variety of mental health struggles. Well written, engaging, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at the same time.