Andrea’s Journey:The Story Behind Stigma-Free Society
At 16, I was immersed in an environment that seemed to hold little hope.
I wasn't attending school – instead, I was caught in a cycle of drinking, drugs, and negative influences. I realized that I was going down the wrong path and was determined to make a change. So, I decided to seek a fresh start and move from my home in Sudbury, Ontario to Vancouver Island, where my mother lived. This marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in my life.
My journey in Vancouver Island began with optimism, but eventually, my mother and I began arguing frequently. She was living with bipolar disorder and experiencing episodes of psychosis. Because no one ever talked to me about mental health growing up, I did not understand bipolar disorder. The stigma of mental illness cast a heavy weight on both of us. Our arguments escalated, and she kicked me out of the house at the end of grade 11.
Despite these challenges, I persevered and secured scholarships that allowed me to pursue a degree in Political Science and begin working for the government. However, I soon felt restless and bored. In a sudden turn of events, I sold all my belongings and drove across Canada to Ottawa in search of something more.
My Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
It wasn’t the prospect of an idyllic life or a dream job that found me in Ottawa – it was bipolar disorder. I began experiencing grandiosity and acting out of character. I also developed psychosis, which led to my first hospitalization. At 25, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began medication for the first time. Although I noticed an improvement, I also began noticing concerning changes in my body. Because of these side effects, I stopped taking my medication. It was then that I fell into such a deep and dark depression that I attempted suicide. Thankfully, I survived and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.
After my suicide attempt, I met a psychiatrist in the hospital who restored my sense of hope. He taught me that living with a mental illness was possible and manageable. Following his guidance, I resumed medication and began a treatment plan that worked better for me.
“Living with a mental illness was possible and manageable.”
The Birth of Stigma-Free Society
I embarked on a journey of self-exploration and became an English teacher for children in South Korea. Later, I enrolled in a series of workshops and seminars to establish my goals for the future. Amidst this journey, a purpose emerged: to combat the stigma surrounding mental health.
I learned that I have bipolar disorder, but I am not bipolar disorder. I may have a mental illness, but I am not defined by that illness, and I can live an amazing life. I shattered my inner shame. From that point, my life took a turn for the better. I created BipolarBabe.com, a place of understanding where people could connect who were dealing with any mental health issue. This vision eventually gave rise to the Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia, now known as Stigma-Free Society.
Stigma-Free Society is a Canadian charity committed to eliminating stigmas of all kinds. We offer educational programs that foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance among diverse communities. Our programs focus primarily on promoting mental health and reducing the stigma around it.
Creating Stigma-Free Rural Communities
Stigma hinders individuals from seeking the help they need, especially in rural areas. Stigma-Free Society addresses this issue head-on by offering a wide range of no-cost programs and resources.
Dave Richardson - Co-Founder and Board Chairman of Stigma-Free Society, is the visionary behind our Rural Mental Wellness Program. I had the pleasure of meeting Dave in 2016, and it was through this meeting that Stigma-Free Society truly came to evolve. Dave's unwavering dedication to our cause has played a critical role in the development of our non-profit.
The Society’s Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit provides resources specifically for people living in farming and rural areas. It teaches valuable skills that help people care for their mental health and support others. Whether you too are passionate about eliminating stigma or wanting to learn more about managing your mental health, everyone can benefit from these resources.
The Rural Mental Wellness Program not only addresses vital mental health education, but also equips communities with Rural Peer Support Training, fostering resilience and connection in often underserved areas.
Our Inspiring Stories feature farmers and rural residents who share stories about how they’ve overcome challenges with their mental health.
Another important part of the charity’s mission is to educate the next generation on mental health and stigma. Our Student Mental Health Toolkit provides educators and with lesson plans, downloadable resources, videos, and more to encourage an inclusive environment. These resources teach students actionable ways to boost their wellbeing and open conversations about mental illness. In addition, Stigma-Free Society offers Virtual Presentations or schools, where presenters share personal stories about their mental health journey and stigma they have faced.
Join Us in Making a Change!
Do you want to get one step closer to living Stigma-Free? The Stigma-Free Tool is a way to privately assess your attitudes around stigma and become more self-aware of any stereotypes you may hold. Visit our new website to check out our no-cost resources and share our Toolkits with your loved ones, educators, and people in your community! Together, we can create a brighter, stigma-free future.
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Andrea Paquette
President & Co-Founder of Stigma-Free Society
Andrea embraces her role passionately as President and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Society. She has been leading the charity since 2010 and is a well-known Speaker/Presenter/Facilitator who lives well with bipolar disorder having been diagnosed for over 21 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 Mental Health First Aid and ASIST Suicide Prevention. She has also been trained and certified in the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Mental Health First Aid course.
Andrea is the 2015 Courage To Come Back Award Recipient in the category of Mental Health given by Coast Mental Health, the 2013 Mel Cooper Citizen of the Year in Victoria, among many more accolades. Andrea has also been awarded the President’s Commendation from the 2019 Psychiatric Association of Canada.