The Adaptation of Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Intersectional Self-Stigma in Diverse Populations: Core Principles, Treatment Strategies, and Preliminary Outcomes
3 - (SYM 80) Related Interventions to Reduce Internalized and Anticipated Stigma Harms: ESS, EASE, SSAS, & IRIS
Sunday, November 23, 2025
2:39 PM - 2:56 PM CST
Location: Foster 2, Level 2
Keywords: Stigma, ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), Vulnerable Populations Recommended Readings: Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Phelan, J. C., & Link, B. G. (2013). Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities. American journal of public health, 103(5), 813-821., Turan, J. M., Elafros, M. A., Logie, C. H., Banik, S., Turan, B., Crockett, K. B., ... & Murray, S. M. (2025). Challenges and opportunities in examining and addressing intersectional stigma and health. Focus, 23(1), 70-84., Earnshaw, V. A. (2020). Stigma and substance use disorders: A clinical, research, and advocacy agenda. American Psychologist, 75(9), 1300., ,
Associate Professor Univ of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, United States
Abstract Body Combining evidence-based cognitive, behavioral, agency, mental health recovery, and self-compassion strategies, the original Ending Self Stigma (ESS) program offered 9 manualized interactive psychoeducation and strategy skill-building sessions to help adults with mental health conditions reduce the impact of internalized stigma on their wellbeing and illness self-management (Lucksted et al, 2017). Now used widely in community mental health and the Veterans Administration, our experience with ESS led us to develop 3 additional related therapeutic programs to help individuals reduce / resist the harmful impacts of stigmatization of psychiatric conditions (EASE), addictions and their medication treatments alongside carceral involvement (SSAS), and of HIV and substance use (IRIS).This presentation will (a) articulate the therapeutic elements shared across these interventions to illustrate common principles of reducing internalized stigma across diverse contexts, (b) highlight differences among these interventions due to important differences in internalized stigma dynamics across them, and (c) discuss the close relationship between internalized stigma and anticipated stigma in the lives of people living with these health and life conditions. It will also briefly describe the free availability, research status, and next steps regarding each program.
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