Former U.S. House Rep. Patrick Kennedy, nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, visited the Quad Cities on Sunday, February 8, 2015 and Monday, February 9, 2015.
The Democrat from Rhode Island spoke at an event called Through My Eyes, put on by the Vera French Mental Health Center. The events look into how to promote mental health awareness. Kennedy says that doctors need to ask more questions, when patients come in for checkups, that may not deal with their current illness.
“Have you had suicidal thoughts? Are you drinking more than you should? Are [doctors] ‘checking up from the neck up when you go in for a physical?'” Kennedy said Monday. “Doctors should make sure they check for anxiety, depression, and alcoholism.”
Vera French has three other events during the week that raise awareness for mental health. One is at Bettendorf High School on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 7 p.m. To see the rest of the events, click here.
