That's the father speaking, who's not exactly the most unbiased stakeholder here. He probably wants some sympathy for his son and is probably going out of his way to describe the situation as dire. The hospital hasn't said anything about his liver failing, although he's in intensive care and has some serious health problems. He'll probably make it. All of his conditions are consistent with someone who drank something corrosive like anti-freeze or Drano. A British tabloid described him as being comatose. That's apparently not the case either.
The father here, I believe, is being strategic. He's trying to garner some sympathy for his son by confessing that mental issues run in the family. That is a big admission that could have repercussions for his family members and even his practice. But he seems to be taking a calculated risk here to stop the press from demonizing his son.