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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 6, 2016 | 20 Margaret Trudeau speaks about mental wellness continued from p.17 Margaret recalled dating Pierre "quite privately" for three years before they got married, and because she moved to Ottawa, he advised her to get a government job. "I wouldn't go public with it because I didn't like his world. I didn't think about it very much. I knew I didn't like it and people were too phony when they came up to him," said Margaret. After their second child was born, Sacha (Alexandre), Margaret felt isolated and lonely, which pushed her into an episode of mental illness, she said. "After the birth of Sacha, I had been feeling the stress, as well. I wasn't the same girl I was when Pierre married me. I had seen too much and felt too much. There would be too much going on," said Margaret. Following the death of Pierre in 2000, two years after their son, Michel, died, Margaret had no ability to live anymore or ability to reason, she said, noting she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while her late husband was prime minister. "It wasn't until 2000, until I was 50, when I was able to absolutely accept that I'm a person who has a mental illness, which there I make choices every day to be happy and not to ruminate, not to be negative, not to be bitter, not to be angry. The biggest thing I was taught in the hospital... was I had to forgive myself and give myself another chance.... Family can give guidance, encourage and get you to a doctor, psychiatrist or a CMHA office. mental health advocate OAKVILLE t your c e t o Pr nvestment! I call 25 YEARS IN OAKVILLE Margaret Trudeau ® with the optimum in vehicle rust control and much more! Complete Cars from $ 119.95 NEW CARS, USED CARS, RUSTY CARS... WE DO IT ALL For coupons and specials visit... DETAILING www.krown.com NOW AVAILABLE 1490 UNIT # 5 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 905.827.7878 WALLACE RD isn't a cure for. It's something you have to learn to live with," said Margaret. The noted author and actress said mental illness "steals your life from you," particularly depression. "No matter how hard you try, how intelligent you are, you cannot fix yourself if you have a mental disorder. Having no insight, having no joy, having no ability to participate, because of depression, I knew none of those," said Margaret. "I make choices every day to be happy and not to ruminate, not to be negative, not to be bitter, not to be angry. The biggest thing I was taught in the hospital... was I had to forgive myself and give myself another chance." During a Q-and-A, Margaret was asked if mental illness is something you can feel coming on and how family can help. She said you don't and family can help by "making you get help." The best assistance she received was from her daughter, Alicia Kemper, who "patted me on the back for taking baby steps." "Family can give guidance, encourage and get you to a doctor, psychiatrist or a CMHA office," said Margaret. Oakville MPP and Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, a long-time mental health advocate, announced the event's attendance figure of 700 people -- making it the largestever for CMHA-HRB. "When we can have a crowd like this, we can speak out about it, we can speak comfortably about it and we can do something about it. If people don't talk about it, politicians don't act. It's that simple," said Flynn. Following her address, Margaret signed copies of her books, Changing My Mind and The Time of Your Life, which were available to purchase on-site. For more information on CMHA-HRB and its services, visit www.halton.cmha.ca. Authentic Montessori at its Best - For Ages 18 mo.-12 yrs. STYLE JOIN US FOR A TRY ON EVENT SATURDAY, MAY 7 · 9AM-3PM BREEZE SEA PETRINA SELMA BURMESE ART STEPN2 · An empowering curriculum that engages children · Individual focus to learning your child's · Community atmosphere that makes students feel included and valued · Creative expression allows your child to explore their own interests and talents "Each space reflects the professionalism, pride and dedication of everyone in the school." -CCMA Accreditation Team ALLSTON FREE 2016 Diamond Award #1 SHOE STORE #1 CHILDREN'S SHOE STORE HAKLEY WALK LORSEN EDGE FactORy SHOe OUtlet 2394 FAIRVIEW ST., BURLINGTON HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am to 9pm · Saturday 9am to 6pm · Sunday 10am to 6pm emille SHOeS BURlingtOn FAIRVIEW GLEN FAMILY OWNED FOR 59 YEARS! 905-632-9688 905.634.0781 · fairviewglen.com MONTESSORI SCHOOL