The NEW Virtual Stigma-Free Society Program
Our traditional in-person Stigma-Free Zone School Presentations Program has gone virtual!
This section includes an opportunity to watch our documentary style videos about mental health and the elimination of stigma in shorter versions, or in a 50-min screening for students. The Society offers our new virtual program as complimentary to schools/districts, but many have kindly offered donations for our presentations in the past as we are a Charity. Please consider donating and becoming a full Member of the Student Mental Health Toolkit where schools can have full access to a Stigma-Free Virtual Q and A Presenter and have full access to this amazing “Student Mental Health Toolkit” for FREE.
Our wonderful staff virtually interact with educators and students in their classrooms via ZOOM or Microsoft Teams after students view the documentaries. Virtual Stigma-Free Q and A Presenters discuss their own story briefly and conduct a Q and A with students about mental health and the documentary learnings for up to 30 minutes.
Book a Virtual Stigma-Free presentation today and feel free to contact us with any questions.
Educator Guides for the Virtual Stigma-Free School Program
Stigma-Free Documentary Videos
Introduction/Mental Health and Celebrities’ Mental Health
Dave Richardson’s Story
Former MLA Sam Sullivan’s Story
Lucas’ Story
Mack’s Story
Mia’s Story
Mac’s Story
Mental Health Education with Dr. Dana Wasserman
Andrea’s Story Part 1
Andrea’s Story Part 2
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Living Stigma-Free
Full Length Stigma-Free Documentary Video
Virtual Q and A Presenters for the 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.
Andrea Paquette
President and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Society
Engaging, Fun and Authentic
Strengths:
I feel that my personal story of living with bipolar disorder resonates with people. I am authentic and honest in my talk. I love moving people to action and having them get help for themselves.
Topics of expertise:
Student mental health mostly grades 8-12, how to define and tackle stigma, and bipolar disorder specifically.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Entertaining
- Informative
- Inspirational
Maddie Clarkson
(she/her)
Communications and Project Manager at the Stigma-Free Society
Energetic, Honest, Empathetic
Strengths:
I am articulate, engaging and know how to relate to young people. I enjoy talking and educating others about living with Bipolar 1 Disorder and believe my personal story connects with students of various ages.
Topics of expertise:
Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, coping with mental health, and the effects/prevention of bullying.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Relatable
- Inspiring
- Engaging
Maddie is the Communications and Project Manager for Stigma-Free Society. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a Concentration for Prospective Teachers. 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. Maddie 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.
EJ Weston
(they/them)
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Kind, Funny, Athletic
Strengths:
I love the fluidity presentations offer and am able to improve and deliver my presentation in many ways to suit different audiences. I use my ability to relate to others and my sense of humour to get our message across in a fun and educational way.
Topics of expertise:
Living Stigma-Free, Mental Health, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Psychology, Addictions
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Relatable
- Diverse
- Inspirational
Cam Webster
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Friendly, Athletic, Curious
Strengths:
As someone living with various mental illnesses, I find students connect well with my story and my honesty. I believe managing a very successful recovery enables me to present in a relatable and authentic way that students seem to really connect with.
Topics of expertise:
Science and statistics related to mental illness, early warning signs, various ways activities can help with recovery.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Candid
- Honest
- Optimistic
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.
Mack von Riesen
(he/him)
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Insightful, empathetic, passionate
Strengths:
I feel that my authenticity and openness about my journey creates a safe and engaging environment for students. I love educating and opening up students’ minds to the diversity all around us.
Topics of expertise:
LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, specifically for the transgender community, Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Relatable
- Honest
- Inspirational
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.
Joesh Khunkhun
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Adventurous, Energetic, Positive
Strengths:
Some strengths I have as a speaker include fearlessness, confidence and positivity. My speaking is very energetic, and I love storytelling. I also know how to engage youth through humour.
Topics of expertise:
ADHD, Learning differences, IEPs, Technology Addiction & Problematic Use, Racism, Anxiety, Climate Change/ Environment.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Inspiring
- Perspective-shifting
- Educational
Tanpreet Parmar
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Compassionate, Determined, Genuine
Strengths:
I am confident, enthusiastic and engaging. I like to interact with my audience!
Topics of expertise:
Body Image issues, Self-Care, Confidence, Self-Esteem, Stigma, Mental Health Awareness and Bullying.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Empowering
- Authentic
- Inspirational
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!
Nathan Lirenman
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Ambitious, Empathetic, Determined
Strengths:
My strengths as a speaker is my courage to be able to speak in front of audiences, and my passionate desire to convey my message courageously. I also am really interested in learning about everyone around me.
Topics of expertise:
Living with Anxiety and Autism.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Courageous
- Thought-provoking
- Engaging
Sarah Khan
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Outgoing, Empathetic, Honest
Strengths:
I’m an outgoing person and I like to talk and connect with my audience to create an engaging experience. I’m a storyteller and I know how to interact and communicate with youth, to create inclusive spaces and promote meaningful conversations.
Topics of expertise:
Anxiety, Depression, Overwhelm, Burnout, Self-Care, and Wellness.
3 ways to describe your talk:
- Inspiring
-
Relatable
- Engaging
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.
Mackenzie Carroll is a musician and a composer and holds a masters degree in music composition. Mackenzie lives with both Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type and OCD. She is currently writing a book detailing her journey with mental illness in an aim to show the reality of life with severe mental illness. She strives to live a good, fulfilling, and productive life alongside her mental illnesses.
Mackenzie Carroll
School and Community Presenter at Stigma-Free Society
Friendly, Creative, Musical
Strengths:
I enjoy talking about and informing others on the reality of life with mental illness. I am articulate and have university teaching experience. I believe that being completely open during my talk will create a safe space for students.
Topics of expertise:
Psychosis, Schizoaffective Disorder, OCD
3 ways to describe your talk:
-
Candid
-
Inspiring
-
Informative