Congressman Patrick Kennedy to speak at International Bipolar Foundation public forum in Del Mar May 22

On Tuesday, May 22, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Del Mar, the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) will celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. At a free public forum, Kennedy will speak to the audience, specifically addressing youth — the next generation of leaders, about mental health, stigma and the need for ongoing brain research. The event will include a lecture and a Q&A.

A Mental Health Awareness patch, developed by IBPF, will be unveiled and presented to the first group of Girl Scouts.

Please R.S.V.P. to: areitzin@internationalbipolarfoundation.org

Event is free and open to the public; seatng is extremely limited.

Kennedy served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and is predominantly known as the author and lead sponsor of the Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This dramatic piece of legislation provides tens of millions of Americans who were previously denied care with access to mental health treatment.

Now, Kennedy is the co-founder of the One Mind for Research campaign, the next step in the effort to bring together scientists working in various domains of brain research toward a common goal.

Kennedy has authored and co-sponsored dozens of bills to increase the understanding and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act, the COMBAT PTSD Act, and the Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act.

Kennedy is a winner of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Distinguished Service Award, the Society for Neuroscience Public Service Award, the Autism Society of America Congressional Leadership Award, the Depression and Bipolar Support Paul Wellstone Mental Health Award, and the Epilepsy Foundation Public Service Award.