System of Care Academy: Advocating Dignity: The Role of Weight Stigma in Trauma-Informed Care

Weight stigma is a frequently overlooked facet of bias and discrimination, and it often results in trauma. How do we apply a strength-based, evidence-informed understanding of this cultural influence to the work that we do in our communities? How do we challenge this aspect of social justice? After this session, participants will be able to define weight stigma and its relationship to trauma; describe the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of weight stigma with other forms of discrimination, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status; articulate the risks of focusing on weight loss and the benefits of questioning accepted assumptions; and explain the role a weight-neutral approach plays in trauma-informed care.

Each year, SOC Academy serves a diverse audience that includes advocates, clinicians, case managers, prevention specialists, peer support specialists, educators, faith-based leaders, psychologists/psychiatrists, child care providers, Family Resource & Youth Services Center staff, juvenile justice staff, family and juvenile services staff, community-based services staff, child welfare staff, public health staff, families and youth with lived experience, interested community members, and more. Last year SOC Academy was offered as a learning series, and it hosted 1438 attendees representing 32 states.

The Academy is convened by Kentucky’s Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health America of Kentucky.

Continuing education units will be available, pending board approvals, and the website will be updated as approved. American Sign Language (ASL Interpreters) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available upon request.