Radio Host Opens Up About Living with Bipolar Disorder

Kennedy Elsey helps break the stigma around mental health

–In a candid interview in November, popular Boston radio personality Kennedy Elsey, shared her ongoing battle with bipolar disorder, emphasizing the power of openness in reducing mental health stigma and encouraging listeners to prioritize therapy and support systems.

Elsey, co-host of the “Karson & Kennedy” morning show on Mix 104.1, spoke with NBC10 Boston’s “Just Curious with JC” host JC about her diagnosis with bipolar disorder — a condition marked by prolonged depressive episodes interspersed with occasional mania.

She described her journey as a “marathon, not a sprint,” highlighting the challenges of finding the right combination of medication and therapy.

“I don’t know how to be any other way,” Elsey told JC when asked about her decision to discuss her struggles publicly on air. Her transparency began after confiding in her co-host and best friend, Karson “Carson” Tager, who has been a steadfast supporter.

Elsey’s mental health challenges intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, she spent 10 days hospitalized at McLean Hospital, a leading psychiatric facility in Massachusetts.

Upon returning to work, she shared the experience with her audience, receiving an outpouring of messages from listeners who said her story inspired them to seek help themselves.

The radio host credits a chance meeting at a charity event for pushing her toward professional care. A woman from a now-defunct mental health organization recognized Elsey’s struggles and urged her to get evaluated. What followed was a comprehensive treatment plan involving a team of several professionals, including therapists and a prescribing psychologist.

Elsey also touched on generational shifts in mental health awareness. She said that conditions like ADHD and bipolar disorder were rarely discussed openly when she was younger, leaving many without diagnosis or support. Today, she advocates for normalizing “mental health days” — a practice her workplace supports.

Elsey now positions herself as an “auntie” figure to her younger colleagues and audience, mentoring with hard-earned wisdom. She has no plans to “age gracefully” or tone down her unfiltered style. “I don’t care if you like me or not,” she declared, underscoring a hard-won self-acceptance.

Beyond treatment, Elsey embraces authenticity and adventure as part of her coping strategy. From skydiving to rappelling down buildings for charity, she balances high-risk thrills with necessary downtime. “Some days I have to shut myself away,” she admitted, but she refuses to let her condition define or diminish her vibrant personality.

Mental health experts have long stressed that public figures sharing personal stories can destigmatize conditions affecting millions of Americans. Bipolar disorder impacts about 2.8% of U.S. adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, often requiring lifelong management through therapy, medication, and support networks.

Elsey’s message resonates amid rising national conversations about mental health access, especially post-pandemic. Her openness, she says, has turned her platform into a lifeline for others feeling isolated in their struggles.

The full interview is available on NBC10 Boston’s YouTube channel:

Editor’s note: The more that notable people open up about bipolar disorder, the more the stigma around mental health issues is reduced. It’s great to see Kennedy open up and share her story.

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