Kennedy Ryan: Mental Health Core to My Work

Author Kennedy Ryan highlights mental health as a foundational element in her writing. Her newest book, "Score," introduces Verity Hill, a screenwriter living with bipolar disorder, who reconnects with a former love, musician Wright "Monk" Bellamy.

Their reunion, spurred by a collaboration on a Harlem Renaissance biopic, provides an opportunity to explore Verity's mental health journey. Ryan underscores the necessary vigilance required by individuals with bipolar disorder and the impact on those who love them.

Ryan’s previous works also address mental health themes, including "Before I Let Go" (depression) and "This Could Be Us" (neurodivergence). She is a proponent of Mental Health Awareness Month and is motivated by the profound positive changes seen in individuals who receive proper diagnosis and support.

She advocates for open discourse, aiming to destigmatize mental illness and mental health. Ryan finds inspiration in observing the transformative effects of therapy, medication, and accurate diagnosis on her loved ones' lives.