Tess Atkinson is a Clinical Research Associate at Hartford Hospital at the Institute of Living (IOL) with a master’s degree in health psychology. In her current position, she conducts research on topics of racial trauma, cultural humility, stigma towards mental health, and health disparities and helps with ongoing initiatives for improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at the IOL. She recently presented research on a preventative approach to addressing microaggressions at a research conference for APA’s Division 45. She is also working on projects pertaining to comfort as it relates to learning topics of equity, mental health stigma, and bias in psychiatric diagnostic systems and Electronic Health Record (EHR). Tess is also a trained Recovery Support Specialist (RSS), using her lived/living experience with mental health to empower, advocate, and help clients on their path to recovery.