Toronto / March 27, 2018 – Patrick J. Kennedy will be the keynote speaker at the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO) gala, “An Evening with Patrick J. Kennedy.” Patrick J. Kennedy, former U.S. Representative (D-RI), founder of The Kennedy Forum, co-founder of One Mind, and author of the New York Times bestseller “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction” will explore the system we need for better mental health and addiction care in the U.S.
The March 27 event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and take place at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario. Guests will enjoy dinner, a presentation by Mr. Kennedy, and a silent auction in support of MDAO’s recovery and education programs.
According to its website, MDAO offers free support and recovery programs to people across Ontario living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder; and provides drop-in peer support groups, recovery programs, family and youth clinical support, early intervention for mood disorders and psychosis, and online tools focused on wellness and recovery. It supports recovery and healing for individuals affected by mood disorders and their families by providing innovative, high quality supports and programs.
MDAO will also present its HERO and PILLAR OF HOPE Inspiration Awards, which recognize members of the community championing the cause of mental health and working to improve the lives of those living with mental health disorders.
For tickets or more information, visit http://www.aneveningwithmdao.ca/#hero.
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About Patrick J. Kennedy:
Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) is a lifelong mental health advocate and member of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. He is the founder of The Kennedy Forum, a convening think tank tackling mental health and addiction issues and co-founder of One Mind, a global leader in open science collaboration for brain research. In 2015, he co-authored A Common Struggle, a New York Times best seller, which details his personal journey and provides a roadmap for the future of mental health policy. Mr. Kennedy is pushing for full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. He was the lead sponsor of this groundbreaking legislation, which requires health plans cover mental health, eating disorder, and addiction care health benefits the same way they cover physical health benefits. To learn about Mr. Kennedy’s efforts, please visit www.patrickjkennedy.net.
