WOONSOCKET – Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) welcomed
Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, for a discussion on senior
citizens' health care, with a focus on mental health, to the Woonsocket
Senior Citizens Center today.
Landmark Medical Center helped Kennedy host the event and
provided information to Mrs. Gore about the comprehensive services that
Landmark has available for seniors.
"I hosted the conference with Tipper Gore in order to help
break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to reach out to others,
particularly senior citizens, who also may be suffering from
depression," said Kennedy. "I felt it was the appropriate time to let
others know that by receiving help, and speaking out about it, people
will realize that there is nothing to be ashamed of. With all that I
have been through, including family tragedies, it makes sense that I get
the professional help I need to remain strong."
Kennedy was an active participant in the White House
Conference on Mental Health, which Mrs. Gore hosted last spring.
Impressed with her commitment to mental health services, Kennedy invited
Mrs. Gore to share her message with his constituents.
"There are many distressing facts about seniors and mental
illness. Seniors are particularly affected by mental health problems, "
said Kennedy. "That is why we need to ensure that mental health services
are integrated into our primary care, community settings, military
hospitals, nursing homes, and other programs, so seniors can get
treatment for these illnesses."
Mrs. Gore is one of the nation's most visible advocates for
the need to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness. She has
focused her efforts on educating Americans about quality, affordable
mental health care and is a strong proponent for the parity of mental
health benefits with those of other health benefits under medical
insurance plans.