Virtual Stigma-Free School Program

Andrea Paquette is the President and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Society. She is an experienced speaker who lives well with bipolar disorder having been diagnosed for over 16 years. She holds a double major degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies and she has worked for the BC government in the areas of mental health and addictions, social development and education. She is certified in ASIST Suicide Prevention. She has also been trained and certified in the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Mental Health First Aid course. Andrea has received many awards including the 2015 Courage to Come Back Award by Coast Mental Health.

Madeleine is the Communications and Project Manager for the Stigma-Free Society. She graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a Concentration for Prospective Teachers. She is also certified in Mental Health First Aid. Passionate about working with youth, she plans to pursue a career in mental health education, and work within the community to help spread awareness and reduce stigma. Madeleine has lived experience with mental illness, having been diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder when she was 14 years old. She shares her experiences and strategies for maintaining her mental well-being through her work with the Stigma-Free Society. She is a strong believer that everyone deserves to, and can, live a beautiful and fulfilling life.

EJ is a School and Community Presenter for the Stigma-Free Society and is extremely passionate about mental health and LGBTQ+ topics with the intersectionality of both subjects. EJ is able to talk openly about their experience with their own mental health, sexuality, gender identity and the effects stigma has on it. As a non-binary person, and having recovered from addictions, EJ is a person living with complex PTSD and depression, who understands the importance of asking for help.  They believe that we are able to change people’s lives and create meaningful change when we share our stories and experiences.

Gia K. is a young girl with a big heart and unique mind. She believes her dyslexia is a gift that gives her the ability to see the world in a different, exciting and refreshing way. For example, she likes to combine, flip and make up words. Gia is a “possibiltarian” – someone who believes in possibilities! Gia is a senior volunteer with Dolphin KIDS: Future-ready Leaders where she helps teach younger children important social, emotional and innovation skills. She is passionate about nature, team sports, art & science. Gia’s motto is “work hard, think positive, make the world a better place & have fun!” She would to love to talk to your school about dyslexia, how she overcame the stigma of a learning difference and why it is now her great gift!

Cam, 25, was first hospitalized with Psychosis N.O.S. (Not Otherwise Specified) in July of 2014, less than one month after his 19th birthday. His illness developed and he was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder 2 years later. Cam is a “Mental Health and Addictions” student at Camosun, he has taught C.B.T. classes for Island Health and he has also taught Wellness Recovery Action Plan workshops through Mental Health Recovery Partners. Cam has been sharing his mental health story for 4 years now to try and raise awareness, break stigma and help others.

Mack is a School and Community presenter for the Stigma-Free Society. He is a professional cook, who is passionate about LGBTQ+ advocacy. Mack openly shares his story around gender, mental health and how they can coincide  as a way to break down the stigma and show youth they aren’t alone. As a queer transmasculine person living with ADHD, anxiety and having grown up with family members with addiction, he knows the importance of community, representation and strives to help others access it.

Joesh is a school presenter for the Stigma-Free Society. He is very passionate about sports and plays a lot of them, his favourites are soccer, basketball, and football. Joesh is extremely passionate about ADHD and learning differences and how we as a society can be more aware of them. Joesh does not see these as a disorder but as more of a benefit and how we can effectively utilize ADHD and learning differences in our school systems. As someone who has both ADHD and the learning difference of written output, Joesh wants to inspire and educate young minds about what it’s like to live life with these and why it is important in our communities.

Tanpreet aims to encourage others to cultivate their own success and turn the life that they dream of into a reality. Tanpreet is a model, actress and philanthropist. She has a BBA majoring in Human Resource Management. She was crowned Miss Charity British Columbia in 2014 and Miss India-Canada in 2016, and placed 2nd runner up in Miss Canada 2020. Tanpreet believes in giving back to the community and is regularly invited to engage in motivational speaking with youth in which she shares the challenges, failures, and insecurities she has faced. She emphasizes the importance of self-love and confidence, and to never let anything or anyone bring us down.

Nathan Lirenman is a 20-year-old young man, currently enrolled in the Kinesiology program at Capilano University. Nathan is a person who has worked hard to learn the skills necessary to be successful in life and proud of who he is, a young man who happens to have Autism. Nathan has used determination, and hard work to not let stigma, stereotypes, and adversity get in the way of his goals. Nathan loves to keep active by running, working out, and walking in nature which he has felt has made him stronger mentally. Nathan is motivated to shatter all the stigmas associated with Autism!

Sarah aims to help break down the stigma that surrounds mental health. As someone who experienced the stigma around talking about her own experience with anxiety and depression Sarah is passionate about sharing her story so that others know that they are not alone. Sarah is a Librarian and holds a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science with a focus on Youth Services. She is also a Journalist, Actress, Curve model, Lifestyle and Book Blogger. Sarah likes to spread positivity and hopes that her story will encourage others to focus on their mental wellness and practice self-care.

Samara is the Programs Manager for Stigma-Free Society. She has a Bachelors degree in Equity Studies, a Masters in Teaching and a professional development certificate in Youth Mental Health. Samara wrote her Masters thesis on inclusive education practices for students with learning disabilities. She is passionate about inclusion in all forms, but specifically for students struggling with learning disabilities and/or mental health concerns. She has Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, as well as generalized anxiety disorder and situational depression, which she speaks about openly and honestly. She wants to work towards removing the stigma connected to seeking mental health help from a professional and is open about her experience in therapy.

Ellen is an English and Environmental Studies student at the University of Victoria and is also the Stigma-Free Society’s Co-op student, who is responsible for assisting staff with communications and the development of Society’s programming. As someone who has spent a large part of her life in school, Ellen has experienced and witnessed her fellow schoolmates struggle to keep up with expectations in the classroom, while also balancing personal mental health needs. She believes that community care and authentic connection play a big role in her success as a person. Ellen is passionate about sharing her story in the hopes that it will encourage others discover ways to prioritize their mental health through challenging circumstances.

Mike Scott is a father to four, retired electrician and foreman, and avid study of stigma and mental health. Mike is currently working on the Family Research Advisory Panel for the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine. While also achieving his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1997, Mike experienced a ten-year battle with life-threatening episodes in bipolar I disorder.

After recovering from two eating disorders, Sterling has become an established mental health advocate. He has continued to raise awareness about and advocate for those with mental illness, through Trent Active Minds, EDify Talks, The Stigma-Free Society, Ontario Shores Center for Mental Health Sciences and The Yellow Tulip Project.  As a mental health advocate Sterling has shared his story on CBC Radio One and on CP24, making headlines for his experience recovering from an eating disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sterling is committed to creating a safe environment where students and community members can seek treatment and talk about their experiences with mental illness and mental health challenges.

Noelle Smith is a young woman who aims in advocating autism and mental illnesses, as well as promoting a healthy driven lifestyle. Being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, Depression, PTSD, and Anxiety, Noelle experienced endless amounts of negative stigmas in her life, but eventually she turned to living against those limitations and strived to live the life she wanted. She is passionate about sharing her story and becoming the example of an individual who lives beyond the negative labels of society and strives for others to start living this way. Noelle currently works with kids and teens on the spectrum, as well as a personal passion and self employed Yoga and Meditation Instructor.