When Margaret Trudeau visited Western today, she was introduced through a video narrated by George Stroumboulopoulos, an equally well-liked Canadian cultural icon. Margaret, a mental health advocate, was invited to Western for the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Distinguished Lecture series to talk about her experiences with bipolar disorder, which she discusses in her book Changing My Mind (2010).
Margaret began by saying that she acted like a “drama queen” as a child, who was “quick to cry, quick to laugh.” She first experienced minor bouts of depression when she moved out of her parents’ home during university, noting that she missed the balance once she began living on her own in a basement apartment.
Albeit briefly, Margaret mentioned that the pressure of being a public figure didn’t help her feel better because as the Prime Minister’s wife, she was always expected to be graceful and look good. “There’s nothing more humiliating than being locked up in a psych ward, especially when people who don’t even know you look up to you,” she said. Her position as Canada’s First Lady also contributed to her mood swings, as sometimes her social calendar was filled with fancy events, whereas other times she felt more isolated in Ottawa.
Margaret shared tales of partying with the Rolling Stones and attending an AA meeting with Ozzy Osbourne, but what really stood out to me was her comment about losing the ability to laugh when you’re depressed. She emphasized the importance of reaching out to professionals for therapy, “not your mother or best friend” in such situations when you “lose your sense of self.”
Margaret inspired hundreds within Western’s community tonight, who gave the author and advocate a standing ovation at the end. Thankfully Western’s staff are investing significantly more resources in offering students related services, which is news that made Margaret leave the stage smiling.
Quotes and observations from Margaret Trudeau’s visit to Western University
http://storify.com/sarahprince/margaret-trudeau-s-lecture-on-mental-health