THE STIGMA PROBLEM

Internalized health-related stigma stems from embarrassment about having an illness and the fear that one may encounter discrimination based on their condition. Half of people with epilepsy believe that the public holds negative views about them, and this belief negatively impacts their self-esteem. Stigma is felt by people with epilepsy regardless of age, seizure-type, and seizure severity.

3.4 Million People

in the U.S. have epilepsy

1 out of 2 People

with epilepsy experience stigma

EFFECTS OF STIGMA

Stigma can have a negative effect on all aspects of life including:

Relationships

Work

School

Managing Epilepsy

Mental Health

Quality of Life

THE SOLUTION

Our program will empower you with tools, knowledge, and strategies to reduce stigma and lead a healthier life. The modules in this website draw upon factors that research has shown are important for psychological adjustment to epilepsy and epilepsy self-management. You’ll learn to manage stress, identify stigma, learn how to deal with negative thoughts, and solve problems related to stigma.

PARTNERS

Meet the Team

Seth A. Margolis, PhD, ABPP-CN
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior | Brown University
Clinical Neuropsychologist | Rhode Island Hospital

Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, MD, MPH, MSc
Assistant Professor of Neurology | Geisel School of Medicine
Principal Scientist | Dartmouth Health 

Geoffrey Tremont, PhD, ABPP-CN
Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior | Brown University
Director | Neuropsychology, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital

Kunal Mankodiya, PhD
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering | University of Rhode Island
Director | Wearable Biosensing Lab

Dhaval Solanki
Assistant Teaching Professor | University of Rhode Island
Codirector-Wearable Biosensing Lab | University of Rhode Island

Persis Commissariat PhD, CDCES
Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Investigator| Joslin Diabetes Center
Instructor of Psychology | Harvard Medical School

Allyson Goldstein, BS
Clinical Research Assistant | Rhode Island Hospital
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior | Brown University

Carly Sykes, MPH
Program Assistant | HOBSCOTCH Institute for Cognitive Health and Well-Being
Department of Neurology | Dartmouth Health

Sabah Ummie, MS
Computer Science Alumnus | University of Rhode Island
Full Stack Developer

Shehjar Sadhu
PhD Researcher | University of Rhode Island
Department of Electrical Computer and Biomedical Engineering.

Elijah Castillo
Computer Science Student | University of Rhode Island
Full Stack Developer

Nathan Harding, BS
Computer Science Alumnus | University of Rhode Island
Full Stack Developer

Grant Funding Provided By