The Issue: Kerry Kennedy’s column about her ‘best friend’ Mary Richardson’s depression and death.
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“Life Lesson in Nightmare of Depression” (May 24) is a beautiful tribute to Mary Richardson from Kerry Kennedy, but it’s important to add that alcohol use can greatly contribute to suicide for anyone with depression.
People with addiction and depression need ongoing group support. If it’s not a group like AA, then the suffering person needs to be supported by other similarly suffering people.
Meaningful empathy and ongoing support are the key. C. Christopher
Matawan, NJ
The “life lesson” I learned from Kerry’s disgraceful hatchet job is that all women, including the Kennedy sisters, are tools who are only here to satisfy the existence of Kennedy men.
Someone needs to tell Kerry that a person is nothing more than recycled trash when he or she treats the environment with more dignity than they do human beings.Tish Ferguson
Point Pleasant, NJ
Following Robert Kennedy Jr.’s self-serving eulogy, Kerry doubled down on the p.r. campaign to make her family look blameless. Mary was persona non grata in Kennedy land.
Kerry notes that Mary “had a wonderful life,” but she neglects to add the words “until she married my brother.” Friends don’t let friends marry into the Kennedy family — just ask Joan Kennedy.A. Lemos
Woodside
I’m disappointed in The Post’s decision to publish Kerry’s column.
It’s nothing more than a thinly veiled touting of the Kennedy line that depression was the sole cause of Mary’s suicide and that Kerry’s philandering brother is blameless.
The Kennedys are shameless, and nothing they do surprises me. My only surprise is The Post going along with it.
David Moody
Mahopac
Why is no one calling for Bobby Jr., his girlfriend or Kerry to be charged? They did more to torment Mary than anyone.
Kerry writing about depression is out of line. If everyone knew Mary was so depressed, why did they do all those insensitive things?
I guess they were just being Kennedys — a shameful lot.B. Castor
Shirley
I was left with a strong feeling of disgust after reading Kerry’s description of Mary’s depressed life.
Kerry did what the Kennedys do — immediately begin deflecting blame for their involvement. It’s unconscionable that Kerry threw her best friend over the cliff to protect the family name.
No one will ever know about the years of neglect and verbal abuse that might have been thrust upon Mary’s fragile shoulders by RFK Jr.
And the “blame anybody but a Kennedy” mantra is now of utmost importance because of Joe Kennedy IV’s campaign for Congress.
Beth Snyder
Traverse City, Mich.
Kerry is not a clinically trained diagnostician, licensed psychotherapist or a former evaluator of Mary.
Where there is smoke, there is fire, and it’s a- blowin’.
Camelost is more like it.Kathy Callahan
Wayne, NJ
How quick Kerry was to see that a keen p.r. move was needed.
How do you make the public stop seeing you as a faithless friend? How do you make your sniveling brother look less mean-spirited? Use Mary’s depression to victimize her once again.
Bobby Kennedy and Cheryl Hines hijacked Mary’s life and tweeted about it just to make sure her crushing humiliation was complete.
This family shames Irish-Americans who were brought up to embrace integrity, admit wrongdoing and accept punishment.
Shame on Kerry for her bait-and-switch.
Tracey Tesauro
Huntington
It is curious and astonishing that there is no mention of alcoholism in Kerry’s column.
A lot of us suffer from depression, but when you add the fatal mix of alcohol and drugs, it frequently ends in death.
Constance Kane
Forked River, NJ