A program with multiple strategies on self-stigma in people diagnosed with schizophrenia

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of EncontrándoME, a multicomponent psychosocial group intervention designed to reduce internalized stigma among individuals with schizophrenia in Chile. The intervention is culturally adapted to the local context, addressing stigma-related threats to social appearance, employment, and perceived usefulness associated with psychiatric diagnoses. By integrating narrative, cognitive-behavioral, and recovery-oriented approaches, the program seeks to promote a more positive self-concept and strengthen recovery processes. The study contributes evidence on the implementation of anti-stigma interventions in routine mental health care settings in Latin America. EncontrándoME includes the following core activities: • Narrative development: Participants engage in guided reflective exercises and group discussions to construct alternative personal narratives that integrate their diagnosis while highlighting strengths, achievements, and recovery experiences. • Cognitive restructuring: Structured activities are used to identify, question, and modify negative beliefs related to the self and the psychiatric diagnosis. • Self-concept enhancement: Exercises focus on recognizing personal values, competencies, and roles beyond the diagnosis, fostering a more positive and integrated self-concept. • Stigma-coping strategies: Participants are trained in coping strategies such as education, deflection, and selective disclosure of the diagnosis, using role-playing and group reflection. • Strengthening the recovery process: Activities promote hope, confidence in recovery, and future-oriented goal setting, supported by peer modeling through the participation of an expert by experience. Mode of delivery: The intervention is delivered in a face-to-face, manualized group format, consisting of 10 weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. Sessions are conducted as structured therapeutic group meetings, combining psychoeducation, guided exercises, and facilitated group discussion. The intervention must be delivered by facilitators who work in health care settings (psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, or other professionals) and who have prior experience in group facilitation, psychosocial interventions, and working with individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. In addition, an expert by experience is included and accompanies the group in two sessions. Experts by experience are individuals with psychiatric diagnoses who have undergone rehabilitation processes and have been trained to participate in anti-stigma interventions. They constitute a key component of the intervention, as they facilitate social contact and serve as role models of mental health recovery (Switaj et al., 2019). Both facilitators and the expert by experience must receive prior training in the administration of the intervention. Adherence to the intervention is monitored through: • Session attendance records completed by facilitators at each session. • Pre-session participant contact, aimed at reinforcing attendance and continuity. • Standardized session checklists, used by facilitators to ensure that core components and activities are delivered as specified in the intervention manual.