Addictive Behavior & Dual Diagnosis

Andrea Paquette, is the President and Founder of the Stigma-Free Society (www.stigmafreezone.com), formerly the Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia (BDSBC). She is well known internationally as the “Bipolar Babe.” She created the Bipolar Babe Project in 2009, and thereafter, an impacting website that offered people an online community to connect and find valuable mental health information. Andrea’s project evolved into a national Canadian Charity in 2010 and continues to educate youth and adults alike and provide peer support for those struggling with mental health issues.

 

There are numerous stigmas in society, such as mental health issues, that contribute to many people feeling alienated and not being accepted and understood. Andrea encourages people to be agents of change by learning about the stigmas that cause others to be seen as ‘different’ and to recognize the negative consequences of stigmatized attitudes and perceptions around mental health. Andrea is passionate about educating others in the community about the stigma surrounding mental health that negatively affect people’s perceptions of themselves and others. She shares her personal story of struggle and triumph since her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2005 throughout multiple venues across North America. Here presentation is tailored for each individual conference and focuses on the meaning and effects of stigma, mental well-being, avenues to live Stigma-Free and the importance of reaching out for help and helping others. Andrea shares her story vividly, candidly and is known for her honest and genuine approach that inspires others to discuss mental health in a Stigma-Free environment.

Andrea shares her message with passion far and wide that truly,

"No matter what our challenges, we can all live extraordinary lives."