Politics Patrick Kennedy Calls for More Attention on Mental Health Issues After Cousin Saoirse's Death Patrick J. Kennedy, who is the son of Ted Kennedy, spoke to Saoirse's courage in a heartfelt message earlier on Friday By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Instagram Twitter Joelle Goldstein is the Staff Editor of TV for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle helps oversee all things TV, and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, America's Got Talent, Love Is Blind and Dancing with the Stars for her "work" responsibilities. Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter, where she was co-nominated at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Magazine Article for feature cover story. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor's degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 3, 2019 12:47 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Patrick J. Kennedy is calling on the nation to take action following the death of his cousin, Saoirse Kennedy Hill. The former Rhode Island Congressman, 52, opened up to NBC Nightly News on Friday, where he emphasized the need for more attention on mental health after his cousin, who spoke candidly about her battle with depression, died from an apparent overdose. Patrick, who is the son of Ted Kennedy, also praised Saoirse, 22, as a “hero” for being open about her struggles, continuing to push the conversation forward, and getting professional help when she needed it. “She opened the door for her peers to also come out and not feel shamed by this illness and she is a real hero in my family,” Patrick told NBC Nightly News on Friday. “She broke the silence.” “And we mourn her loss but her memory will live on as someone who wasn’t going to keep silent and wasn’t going to be feeling as if she had something shameful, but rather something medical that she sought treatment for,” he continued. “This affects every single family in America,” Patrick added. “It’s way past time that we deal with this in a way that we would deal with any other public health crisis.” Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images; Kerry Kennedy/Twitter Saoirse Kennedy Hill Opened Up About Her Battle with Depression 3 Years Before Her Death Patrick also echoed his sentiments earlier in the day on Twitter, where he wrote several heartfelt messages in the wake of the devastating news. The former politician first posted a gorgeous shot of his younger cousin and wrote on Twitter, “Saoirse will always remain in our hearts. She is loved and will be deeply missed.” He then went on to share Saoirse’s emotionally-raw essay for her high school’s student newspaper, where the then 19-year-old wrote candidly of her own mental health struggles, including her time in a treatment facility after a suicide attempt. Patrick J. Kennedy. Aaron Davidson/Getty Images Fearless, Fierce, Troubled, Gone: Inside the Short Life and Sudden Death of Saoirse Kennedy Hill, RFK’s Granddaughter In his tweets, Patrick encouraged his followers to read Saoirse’s words before urging for the nationwide stigma around mental health to end. “Saoirse’s sincere account of her depression is a powerful reminder of how so many people suffer alone and feel isolated,” he wrote alongside the link to the published piece. “I am proud Saoirse was able to be open and tell her story. I encourage everyone to read her words.” “Feel what she felt. Do whatever you can from your position in life to stop the isolation, the stigma, and the devastating lack of acknowledgment that often leads to tragedy,” he continued. “Families across the nation, including ours, are suffering,” Patrick finished. “We must come out of the shadows.” Ethel Kennedy and Saoirse’s Devastated Mother Emerge from the Family Compound to Mourn the Student A source close to the Kennedy family told PEOPLE that Saoirse was found at her grandmother Ethel Kennedy‘s home Thursday after an apparent overdose. On Friday, the local prosecutor’s office confirmed that police responded to the scene, in Hyannis Port, one day earlier at about 3 p.m. The Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office did not specify the nature of the police call in their statement on Friday, beyond saying that Saoirse was found unresponsive at the scene and pronounced dead at a local hospital. “An autopsy performed today has revealed no trauma inconsistent with lifesaving measures,” prosecutors said. “The cause and manner of death are pending the toxicology report.” Both local and state police are currently investigating, according to the D.A.’s office. Saoirse Kennedy Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says His Niece Saoirse’s Tragic Death Leaves a ‘Gaping Hole’ in Their Family Shortly after the tragedy, the famous political family confirmed the news of Saoirse’s death in a statement to PEOPLE. “Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse. Her life was filled with hope, promise, and love,” the family said. “She cared deeply about friends and family, especially her mother Courtney, her father Paul, her stepmother Stephanie, and her grandmother Ethel.” Family matriarch Ethel, 91, also said of her granddaughter’s unexpected passing, “The world is a little less beautiful today.” “She lit up our lives with her love, her peals of laughter and her generous spirit,” Ethel said. “Saoirse was passionately moved by the causes of human rights and women’s empowerment and found great joy in volunteer work, working alongside indigenous communities to build schools in Mexico. We will love her and miss her forever.” If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. If you are struggling with addiction issues, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.