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"We must come out of the shadows": Saoirse Kennedy Hill's uncle honors her commitment to mental health awareness

No trauma found in Saoirse Kennedy autopsy
Toxicology report will determine how Kennedy granddaughter died 02:13

Patrick J. Kennedy took to Twitter Friday to honor the memory of his niece, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, by championing her commitment to mental health awareness. Ted Kennedy's son referenced an op-ed Hill wrote for her high school newspaper about struggling with depression.

Kennedy tweeted a heartfelt message encouraging others to read Hill's words. "Saoirse's sincere account of her depression is a powerful reminder of how so many people suffer alone and feel isolated," Kennedy wrote.

He asked readers to "feel what she felt" and requested that those suffering from depression "come out of the shadows." 

"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," Kennedy tweeted. He also quoted parts of Hill's writing.

The 22-year-old granddaughter of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, was found dead Thursday at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Police are investigating but a cause of death has not been announced.

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