This Teen Videographer Uses Her Talent To Fight Stigma

Most people wouldn’t stand blindfolded in a crowd in Boston. But Bre Paquette did.

Why? Bre is a high school student from Salem, New Hampshire who is using her passion for videography to combat stigma. She’s begun filming PSAs about mental illness — one of which features her being hugged by strangers with a sign that reads, “20–50 percent of adolescents struggle with mental illness. Hug to show support for people who are struggling.”

Bre was born into a family of filmmakers and photographers, and from an early age, she enjoyed filmmaking. As she got older, Bre recruited her younger cousins to star in music videos that she would direct and film, all with the hope of putting a smile on someone’s face.

Bre also grew up in a family with loved ones who experienced mental health challenges. Her father struggled with alcohol abuse, while her mother experiences anxiety. As Bre grew older, she also developed an anxiety disorder. Initially, she refused to talk to anyone about what she was experiencing — this left her feeling isolated from her peers.

But these experiences gave Bre her unique voice. With it, she began to spread a message that she knew could help others. She directed, filmed, and submitted a PSA about mental health to a competition held by New Futures, a New Hampshire organization that seeks to promote health and wellness in the state.

Bre won the People’s Choice Award for that PSA. Since then, she’s continued to use her talents to help others.

I’m proud to recognize Bre for her efforts to break down the barriers that too often prevent us from addressing mental illness. By using her talents to help facilitate conversations about difficult issues and raising awareness around mental health, Bre exemplifies the values that make our state strong. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.

Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the Month? Nominate them here.