Here is a pro tip. When you speak at an event for students focusing on student mental health, don’t suggest that students drop out of school because of mental health issues.
Margaret Trudeau came to speak at Carleton last week as part of Carleton University Students’ Association’s (CUSA) Mental Health Awareness Week. For the most part I really liked what she said.
Unfortunately, Trudeau’s answer to a question from a professor left me shocked and frustrated.
This was the prof’s question: what should she do when a student tells her “my paper is late because I’m depressed, stressed, my medication isn’t working.”
Trudeau replied that it wasn’t an excuse.
“We have to be responsible, we can’t just say we’re mentally ill and can’t do anything,” Trudeau said. “It’s not acceptable as a student. Maybe you shouldn’t be a student if you can’t get your deadlines done.”
The professor gleefully replied “thank you!” It was as if now when a student emailed her for an extension she could say, “Well Margaret Trudeau said it was okay for me to take five per cent off a day, and she’s bipolar, so. . .”
That was not what a group of young people just starting the school year and in the middle of midterms needed to hear.
I get what Trudeau was going for. We have to be careful to not use an illness as a crutch. One extension can lead to never-ending extensions, she said. True—it might be worthwhile to take some time off school.
But health—physical or mental—isn’t a reason to stop being a student.
Since I started university a little over four years ago, I’ve gotten mono twice, had a severe concussion that meant all I could do was colour for three weeks, and have been sick so many times I’m pretty sure the secretary at the health clinic has my health card number memorized.
I’ve been diagnosed with everything from “being too stressed out” to “chronic fatigue” to “you should just go out and ride a bike” (the last one is my Dad’s diagnosis for all ailments). I have diagnosed myself with a shit immune system and bad luck.
What it’s meant for me at Carleton is that I’ve sometimes had to request extensions and even defer exams. In worse cases, I had to drop classes so my body could keep up. My health is the reason why I am doing a fifth year to finish my degree.
For the most part, my TAs and professors have been—bless their hearts—absolutely understanding and accommodating.
Most importantly, when I needed accommodation and gave them a doctor’s note, there were no further questions raised over the legitimacy of my request. After all, it’s up to my doctor to decide whether I am too unwell to work, not my professor.
I understand the professor’s sentiment. It must be frustrating to get a wash of panicked emails from students asking for extra time around a due date. But is it not more important to ensure that people who really need an extension get it without judgement, rather than police those who don’t?
I don’t claim to be any expert on mental health. But I am a university student who has seen other students finish their degree regardless of disability, personal issues, physical illnesses, and yes, mental health. Many needed accommodations, sometimes an extension.
When I had mono, I was out of commission for weeks. If I had depression that kept me in bed for a few weeks too, should I also not be accommodated? I’m not saying physical and mental health are the same. What I’m saying is that they are both legitimate reasons to need accommodation.
What was supposed to be an event encouraging students to take care of their mental health and fight stigma ended up perpetuating the idea that mental health issues are an “excuse” and that those who have issues with mental health shouldn’t get to be students.
No offence to Trudeau or the professor, but you don’t know our life.
