The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is very pleased to announce Let’s Keep Talking with Margaret Trudeau on May 3 at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax during Mental Health Week. Margaret Trudeau, Canadian icon and author, willspeak about living with bi-polar disorder, and will share personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s third annual Let’s Keep Talking event is designed to educate, engage, and entertain.
After the success of its “Let’s Keep Talking for Clara’s Big Ride” event in 2014 as a Bell Aliant Community Champion, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia has continued the tradition, calling on notable Canadian mental health advocates to keep the conversation going. Last year’s event featured TSN’s Michael Landsberg, who openly discussed his battle with depression.
Margaret Trudeau will headline this year’s event as the keynote speaker, sponsored by Bell Aliant.
“Canada’s mental health conversation is moving forward like never before, thanks in large part to events such as ‘Let’s Keep Talking’,” said Dan McKeen, Bell Senior Vice President and Vice Chair, Atlantic. “We’re delighted that Margaret Trudeau will be sharing her extraordinary journey and contributing to this important dialogue. Year after year, this and similar events held during Mental Health Week, encourage Nova Scotians, and all Canadians, to participate in the growing conversation about mental health across our communities.”
The event, presented by NorthWest Healthcare Properties, will also feature the stories and talents of Nova Scotians living well with mental illness. Highlighted performers include: Zac Crouse, singer-songwriter and PTSD advocate; Rachel Hastings, Redfish playwright; Amanda MacLeod, live artist; and Shawntay Rose Dann, African Dance instructor. TSN’s Paul Hollingsworth will return as emcee. As the presentations and interviews will deal with sensitive subject matter, members of Dalhousie’s team will be in the audience to offer Mental Health First Aid if needed.
"NorthWest Healthcare Properties is proud to be presenting sponsor of Let’s Keep Talking 2016,” says Glenna Birt, Regional General Manager – Atlantic, NorthWest Healthcare Properties Inc. “This event opens up much-needed conversation around mental illness and unites Nova Scotians in working to decrease stigma.”
Additionally, Let’s Keep Talking will honour Nova Scotians who have impacted the mental health community in the province. Let’s Keep Talking Awards will be given in five categories: Outstanding Individual, Outstanding Youth, Outstanding Senior, Outstanding Healthcare Provider, and Outstanding Caregiver. Nominations are now open at www.mentalhealthns.ca/lets-keep-talking. Applications can be submitted until March 31.
Let’s Keep Talking with Margaret Trudeau in support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia will raise funds for mental health programs and services across the province. There will be an opportunity to win a 50/50 raffle prize and door prizes. Let’s Keep Talking is a free event, made possible by the generous support of sponsors Bell Aliant, Northwest Healthcare Properties, Emera, St. John Ambulance, Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd., The Berkeley Retirement Residences, and LimeLight.
“We are so excited to be bringing Margaret Trudeau into this vital discussion and celebration of outstanding individuals,” says Starr Dobson, President & CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. “It’s an amazing opportunity for deserving Nova Scotians to share the stage with a Canadian who is truly dedicated to changing the way people think.”
Free ticket reservation is now available through Eventbrite. Visit mentalhealthns.ca to reserve your seat.
Let’s Keep Talking with Margaret Trudeau
Tuesday, May 3
Doors open 5:30 pm, Show at 6:00 pm
Spatz Theatre, Citadel High School
1855 Trollope St, Halifax, NS
Recommended for ages 12+
Tickets: Free
Available at mentalhealthns.ca, eventbrite.com
About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and their loved ones. We raise funds for vital programs and services that help make this possible, province-wide.
About Margaret Trudeau
Margaret Trudeau is a Canadian icon, celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental-health issues advocate. From becoming a prime minister’s wife at a young age, to the loss of both her son and her former husband, to living with bi-polar disorder, Margaret tirelessly shares her personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit.
Margaret is the author of four books, including her bestselling title, Changing My Mind, which charts her life’s ups and downs, and her latest title, The Time of Your Life, which offers women an inspirational and practical approach to creating a healthy, happy, secure and satisfying future.
Margaret sits on the Executive Advisory Board of the UBC Mental Health Institute as a community advocate, and she is the Honorary President of WaterCan, a charitable Canadian non-governmental agency that is dedicated to helping poor communities in developing countries build sustainable water-supply and sanitation services.
www.speakers.ca/speakers/margaret-trudeau
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Contact:
Colleen Fraser, Communications Coordinator
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
T: 902.464.3210
E: colleen.fraser@nshealth.ca
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Suite 1120, 300 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z9