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Registered Name: Stigma-Free Society
Registered Charity No: 827676867RR0001
Contact: [email protected]
885 Dunsmuir St. #520
Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5
Registered Name: Stigma-Free Society
Registered Charity No: 827676867RR0001
Contact: [email protected]
885 Dunsmuir St. #520
Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5
Moving Your Mind – Exercise and Mental Health
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeWe often think about exercise as a way to keep ourselves physically healthy, and current Canadian guidelines recommend that we get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. It’s a lesser-known fact that exercise is also important for our mental health. Research has demonstrated that exercise can be a means to improve symptoms […]
My Story by Ananya
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeHi, I am Ananya (she/they), an international student studying Psychology at Vancouver Island University from Odisha, India. I am also a mental health advocate and work in the field of health care. My experience with mental health challenges started when I was around five years old; I started to notice that I was different from […]
Navigating the Holidays, a Pandemic, and your Mental Health
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeThe holidays aren’t just full of cozy family gatherings and crisp winter walks followed by hot chocolate. The disruption to routine, the increase in social obligations and financial and familial pressure can take its toll, particularly for those with mental health struggles. Given the added challenges of navigating the pandemic, the holidays can seem even […]
Interview with Amy Frank, Artist
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeSince 2011, artist and mental health advocate Amy Frank has been touching lives through her creative work, public speaking, and award-winning website. Today, she shares with us about her wellness journey, artistic expression, and hopeful message. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your experiences with artistic expression and mental health advocacy. I have […]
Riding the Bipolar Roller Coaster
/in Blog, Stories /by Maddie Stigma-FreeAs that famous Silver Screen philosopher Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” And so the story goes for those of us ‘Touched with Fire’—to salute my fellow bipolarities, movie-maker Paul Dalio and writer/activist Kay Redfield Jamison. For bipolar—the modern term for manic-depression—is […]
Positive Effect Pets Have on Mental Health
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-Free“A dog is a man’s best friend.” But research has come to teach us that pretty much any pet can be your best friend. The bond between humans and animals dates back several centuries. Over time the relationship between humans and animals has evolved from one based on usefulness to one based on care and […]
Wondering When is the Right Time to Seek Help from a Child Counsellor?
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeStress and anxiety rates have skyrocketed in the last 18 months due to the pandemic. According to a CBC report, the main concern among educators is not the long gap or loss in academic performance but 90% of the teachers are concerned about the mental health of their students and peers. Anxiety levels in youth […]
Vai Patri – Stigma-Free Champion Feature
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeBack in December 2020, Andrea Paquette, President and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Society, held a live event interview with Vai Patri, singer, songwriter, and advocate for HSV and Borderline Personality Disorder. Today, Vai shares with us some more about her experiences and core messages as an artist and advocate. Who are you? Tell us a […]
Truth and Reconciliation Day Sept. 30th
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeToday marks the first annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. Previously, this day was acknowledged as Orange Shirt Day, an informal event where residents of Canada were encouraged to wear orange t-shirts to show support and solidarity with residential school survivors. Now nationally recognized, Truth and Reconciliation day is marked by the long […]
Peer Support Training for Rural Residents
/in Blog, News & Events /by Maddie Stigma-FreeIn partnership with Robyn Priest LIVE YOUR TRUTH, the Stigma-Free Society is proud to announce our upcoming Peer Support Worker Training sessions, tailored specifically for rural residents in Canada. This two-day virtual course will be held on November 1st and November 8th (8am – 4pm PDT, 10am – 6pm CDT, 11am – 7pm EDT, with […]
Reconnecting with Your Values: Reflections on ACT
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeValues give us motivation, purpose, and direction. They are a foundational element of our overall wellness, but it’s all too easy to overlook or forget about them. Speaking for myself, I can think of many occasions when I became so preoccupied with what was not working out as I had planned and so intent on […]
Another Day by Sanjana Karthik
/in Blog, Stories /by Maddie Stigma-FreeI believe that when you are young, you can be vulnerable to various changes and experiences that take place within your own body, your life, and the overall world you reside in. Being an adolescent gives way to challenges and the need to balance several aspects of one’s life. For instance, there is a need […]
Resources for Students with a Learning Disability: Blog Repost From Best Value Schools
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeThe transition from high school student to college student should be exciting. Going from life in a high school to living and learning on a college campus can mean more freedom, more responsibility, and more fun. That transition isn’t always easy for students with learning disabilities, though, as they may feel more anxious about this […]
ReFresh, ReIgnite, and ReCharge: A Graduation Letter to Educators as We Cross the June Finish Line By Dr. Daniel To
/in Blog /by Maddie Stigma-FreeDear friends and colleagues, It’s over…it’s finally over. You did it! The 2020 Spring to 2021 June School year has finally ended! Yes, the dates I’ve listed are the not dates of the traditional Canadian School year, but I think, without doubt we will all look at these past 14 months in a global pandemic […]
Men Experience Eating Disorders Too
/in Blog, Stories /by Andrea PaquetteHi, my name is Sterling and I go by he/him pronouns. I am an established mental health advocate and a proud Stigma-Free Society Presenter. I am writing this to share a glimpse of my lived experience of mental illness, recovery, and mental health advocacy. I have always batted high levels of anxiety for as long […]
Get trained to be a Rural Peer Support Group Facilitator and Support your Community!
/in Blog, News & Events /by Andrea PaquetteStigma-Free Society in partnership with Robyn Priest LIVE YOUR TRUTH are going to be hosting Peer Support Facilitator Trainings in the upcoming months as part of its Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit! Peer support is a way for individuals with a similar background to connect with each other and ensure that they are taking care of […]
We Matter Helps Indigenous Youth See That They MATTER
/in Blog /by Andrea PaquetteWho is ‘WE MATTER’ Exactly? We Matter is a national, youth-led organization that is dedicated to providing Indigenous youth with a space for them to feel hope and have their mental health supported. The organization was started in response to the disproportionately high suicide rates found among Indigenous youth in Canada. Danika Vessel, Director of […]
Don’t Miss the Stigma-Free Silent Auction! Open Until May 9th
/in Blog, News & Events /by Andrea PaquetteWe’ve Added to the Fundraiser! The Stigma-Free Society’s Hope and Help Fundraiser for Mental Health has a new silent auction component! The Stigma-Free Society is excited to announce the Mini Silent Auction as part of our Hope and Help Fundraiser for Mental Health! Mental health is such an important cause to be supporting, now more […]
Join us at the Stigma-Free Society’s Hope and Help Fundraiser for Mental Health!
/in Blog, News & Events /by Andrea PaquetteMental health is such an important cause to be supporting, now more than ever. We need your help to grow and expand our initiatives that tackle mental health stigma, and stigma in all forms! Taking place on May 5th 2021, this fundraiser event has a goal of raising $30,000 for our impacting mental health programs. […]
We Have Launched! NEW Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit
/in Blog /by Andrea PaquetteThe Stigma-Free Society is proud to announce the launch of our Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit! Individuals living in rural and agricultural communities across North America are experiencing unique challenges to their mental health. This is where the Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit comes in. At The Stigma-Free Society, we are constantly striving to fill the gaps […]