During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer. In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction. In 2015, Kennedy co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction,” which details a bold plan for the future of mental health care in America. In 2023, The Kennedy Forum launched the Alignment for Progress, a movement to align leaders from across industry and across the aisle to achieve 90/90/90 by 2033: 90% of all individuals will be screened for mental health and substance use disorders; 90% of those screened will be able to receive evidence-based treatment; 90% of those receiving treatment will be able to manage their symptoms in recovery. Kennedy’s second co-authored book “Profiles in Mental Health Courage” available April 2024 will delve into the compelling stories of a diverse group of Americans who have struggled with their mental health – many of whom are sharing their stories for the first time.

Kennedy is also the founder of DontDenyMe.org, an educational campaign that empowers consumers and providers to understand parity rights and connects them to essential appeals guidance and resources; co-founder of One Mind, an organization that pushes for greater global investment in brain research; co-chair of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response); and co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Behavioral Health Integration Task Force.

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Robin Kellner and John Sicher have dedicated their lives to advocacy and community service after long and varied careers. Robin built and sold a successful recruitment business, and after the loss of her daughter Zoe in 2007, she partnered with NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell to fight stigma around mental health and substance use and to promote harm reduction. John’s career was in corporate law and publishing, and since selling his business he has worked with Robin to support NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell initiatives that help keep people who use drugs safe. Alongside their advocacy, Robin pursues art and John photography, both finding creative ways to connect and give back.

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Holly Whitaker is a New York Times bestselling author of Quit Like a Woman, creator of the audio guide 30 Days to a New Relationship with Alcohol, and founder of Tempest, Inc. (acquired by Monument in 2022). A writer, researcher, and person in long-term recovery, she believes individual healing is the foundation for collective liberation, and that equity, social justice, and love ethic are inseparable from addiction recovery. Holly is currently writing her third book. She writes the Substack Recovering. You can follow Holly on Instagram.

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