There is one thing that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and futures across politics and government, Hollywood, and the arts, tech, business, sports, and science, and its mental health problems.

Today, we're going to be talking with Congressman Patrick Kennedy about his book Profiles in Mental Health Courage.

We're going to learn from people who are struggling with their mental health, some of them just barely hanging on, some recovering, some relapsing, some struggling to access care.

But all of them, sharing experiences and insights that we need to better understand mental illness. Through all of this, we may be

able to help those in our lives, our parents, our siblings, our spouses, our therapists, our bosses, our doctors, and our friends who need supportive care and mental wellness. This is The Lindsay Elmore Show. Welcome to The Lindsay Elmore Show, a podcast for people who deserve to be healthy.

With honest, open, and enlightening conversations with doctors, thought leaders, creatives,

and spiritual gurus, you'll walk away with simple and tangible tips and tricks that allow you

to live your healthiest life so you can pursue your

dreams, overcome obstacles, and leave your mark. During his time in Congress, Patrick Kennedy

fought to end discrimination against those with mental illness, addiction, and other brain

diseases. He is best known as the

lead sponsor of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the federal parity

law, as it is also known, which was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by

George W. Bush on October 3, 2008.

The federal parity law requires insurers cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders

no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes or cancer. In 2013, he founded the Kennedy

Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advanced

evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction. Kennedy is also the founder of

Don't Deny Me.org, an educational campaign that empowers consumers and providers to understand

parity rights and connects them to essential appeals, guidance, and resources. He is the co-founder of One Mind, an organization that pushes for

greater global investment in brain research, the co-founder of Psych Hub, the most comprehensive

online learning platform on mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention topics in the world.

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