(via the Network of the National Library of Medicine)
Registration is open for the NNLM webinar “Empathy Lens: Humanizing Images & Education for Reducing Stigma Against People Who Use Drugs”. It will take place on Thursday, December 4, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM CDT.
Stigmatizing language and imagery around substance use reinforce systemic inequities, uphold punitive narratives, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that further marginalize people who use drugs. Yet many mainstream stock photo collections rely on dehumanizing, criminalizing, or sensationalized visuals, making it difficult for advocates, educators, and service providers to find materials that promote health equity and affirm the rights and realities of impacted communities.
The Empathy Lens project (EmpathyLens.org) disrupts this pattern by offering a free online library of compassionate, realistic images captured at harm reduction and treatment organizations across Washington State. These photos highlight authentic, person-centered care in community-based settings, reflecting the resilience, agency, and humanity of people who use drugs. This session will explore how stigma in both language and visuals fuels discrimination and exclusion, while sharing practical strategies for selecting non-stigmatizing, accurate, and inclusive materials for outreach, education, and advocacy.
The webinar is worth 1.00 hour of MLA CE credit. This is a National NNLM class.
For more information, including information on the presenters, and to register, please go here. Registering requires having an NNLM user account. Create one here.