Celebrating Excellence: Pillar Clinical Research Named 2024 STARR Site of the Year!

The STARR Coalition proudly awarded the prestigious STARR Site of the Year honor to Pillar Clinical Research for their exceptional commitment to clinical research excellence, patient care, and community engagement.

The STARR Award was presented by Dr. Jessica Anderson of North Texas Clinical Trials, the 2023 recipient of the award, recognizing Pillar’s remarkable efforts in fostering a patient-centered culture and strengthening connections within the communities they serve.

Pillar Clinical Research stood out this year for their unwavering dedication to patient advocacy and engagement. Their innovative approach included hosting over 100 Lunch & Learn sessions with hospitals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations, significantly expanding awareness and fostering valuable partnerships. Their outstanding patient satisfaction surveys and glowing Google reviews further reflect their commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.

Bruce Trimble, Chief Experience Officer at Pillar, accepted the award, emphasizing the importance of listening to patients’ experiences to continuously enhance care. Bruce credited Pillar’s success to the dedication of his colleagues, as well as the leadership of Carol Witham and Brian Craig, whose guidance has been pivotal in building a culture centered on ethical, quality care and deep community involvement.

Mallory Witham, Director of Business Development for Pillar, also shared her gratitude, reflecting on her long-standing connection with the STARR Coalition and the honor of being recognized by peers she deeply admires. Mallory highlighted the collaborative spirit of the STARR community, thanking North Texas Clinical Trials and acknowledging the collective efforts of sites across the network who work tirelessly to advance patient care and advocacy within clinical research.

As we celebrate Pillar Clinical Research’s well-deserved recognition, we also celebrate the broader STARR community — dedicated professionals who continually raise the bar for patient engagement and advocacy.

Congratulations to Pillar Clinical Research for their inspiring work and for embodying the very best of what it means to be a STARR Site of the Year!

Why independent pharmacies are pushing back on Medicare’s drug price negotiation program

Excerpt from HealthCare Brew, 2/18/25

Independent pharmacies are pushing back on Medicare’s drug price negotiation program, fearing significant financial losses, with over 90% of owners considering dropping Part D drugs altogether.

Medicare Part D’s drug price negotiation program, created under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), lets CMS set lower costs for select Part D drugs in hopes of lowering healthcare costs for patients. Pharmacies must still pay wholesalers upfront and wait for delayed reimbursements, straining cash flow and potentially causing business closures, especially in rural areas.

CMS has acknowledged the concerns but claims it lacks authority to modify the program’s implementation, raising uncertainty about access to medications for patients relying on independent pharmacies.

But up to 93.2% of independent pharmacy owners said they either will no longer carry Part D drugs or are considering not carrying them, as owners anticipate the negotiation program would “cause massive financial losses,” according to a survey of 8,000 pharmacy owners and managers conducted by the the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), a trade group representing the nation’s roughly 19,000 independent pharmacies.

Read the full article HERE.

Announcing Synexus Atlanta as STARR Certified: Welcoming a New Leader in Mental Health Research to the STARR Community!

The STARR Coalition is excited to announce Synexus Clinical Research – Atlanta as the newest STARR Certified site, joining our growing community of research leaders dedicated to advancing ethical, patient-focused mental health clinical research. Synexus Atlanta’s dedication to excellence in psychiatric research, coupled with their innovative approach to patient care, makes them a valuable addition to the STARR community.

Located in the northern Atlanta medical district, Synexus Atlanta offers convenient access to public transportation, free parking, and proximity to local hospitals and specialty providers, ensuring that all protocol-related medical procedures can be carried out seamlessly.

The Synexus Atlanta team includes: Emily Oppenheim, Site Director, Melissa Windham, LPC and Bethany Kinzel, LPC, Masters-Level Clinicians, Dr. Radhika Rao, Internal Medicine Physician, Bonnie Raufman, Camille Compton, and Ruth Dawit, Clinical Research Coordinators, Dosa Cleaver, Research Nurse, Patricia Gilbert, Research Assistant, Elia O’Dell, Data Entry Manager, and Jennifer Cavin, Recruitment Specialist

The site is led by Dr. Bethany Davis, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with more than 18 years of experience conducting psychiatric clinical trials across a wide range of indications. Dr. Davis, supported by her highly experienced and compassionate staff, brings a collaborative and patient-centered approach to every study conducted at the site.

With state-of-the-art equipment and expertise in conducting Phase II-IV clinical trials in both inpatient and outpatient settings, the Synexus team is well-versed in the unique challenges that come with psychiatric research. Their commitment to high-quality data collection, patient safety, and ethical research practices is evident in their regular and rigorous trainings, which cover Placebo Response Reduction, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

A key feature of Synexus Atlanta’s inpatient capabilities is its partnership with The Cottages at Mountain Creek, a residential care facility located just half a mile from the main site. This innovative partnership provides a comfortable, home-like setting for patients participating in inpatient clinical trials. The environment is designed to reduce placebo response rates, a persistent challenge in psychiatric research, by creating a space that more closely resembles everyday living conditions rather than a traditional inpatient therapeutic environment. The Cottages offer 24/7 clinical care, ensuring both safety and comfort for participants.

Dr. Davis, who serves as a full-time investigator, is known for her thorough oversight and attention to detail. Her passion for ethical, patient-centered research is evident in her approach, as she explains:

"Ethical patient care in clinical research is non-negotiable; it's about upholding the highest standards of treatment and respect. My commitment to integrity means that every patient's rights, safety, and welfare come first. Providing a transparent approach enriches the patients’ experience and ensures more precise and effective outcomes."

Welcome to the STARR Community, Synexus Atlanta!

You Don't Want to Miss This NAMI Fundraiser & Film Viewing!

A night for mental health awareness

Wednesday, March 12th - 5:00-8:00pm CST

Click HERE for your viewing pass: $15

WATCH ON YOUR COMPUTER or TV

See Michelle Trachtenberg's Final Film and help raise funds for mental health solutions.

"SPYRAL captures a desperate husband’s attempts to save his family from his wife’s mental disorder and drug abuse that transforms her from a loving mother into a destructive, violent stranger." - E&S TODAY

Mental Health Awareness Events Calendar

We are excited to announce the launch of our Mental Health Awareness Events Calendar, a dynamic online resource designed to highlight key mental health observances and special STARR Coalition events throughout the year.

This calendar serves as a resource for annual awareness events and activities, as well as an informal editorial calendar for the STARR Newsletter.

We want this to be a comprehensive resource for all! If you host an annual mental health-related event, we’d love to include it. Simply send your event details to action@thestarr.org, and we’ll add them to the calendar. Please note, we can only include annual events at this time.

Visit our website to explore the calendar, mark your calendars for upcoming events, and join us in making mental health a priority all year long! 💚

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!

A Stop the Stigma Champion is a high school student that has demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership by openly discussing mental health issues, challenging stereotypes, and promoting a supportive and understanding environment in their community.

Do you know a high school student that has inspired positive change and created a lasting impact on the school community regarding mental health attitudes and practices? Nominate them by April 15!

The STARR Stop the Stigma Champion winner will be announced on National Mental Health Action Day, May 16th. Visit https://thestarr.org/stopthestigma/ for more information and to nominate someone!

Since 2009, March has been recognized as National Criminal Justice Month - an opportunity to critically examine a justice system that directly impacts the lives of millions, including a disproportionate number of individuals living with mental illness.

Research consistently shows that individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are significantly overrepresented within the criminal justice system. Studies indicate that the prevalence of SMI is four to six times higher in jails than in the general population, affecting approximately 14.5% of incarcerated men and 31% of incarcerated women.

The criminalization of individuals with serious mental illness—often for non-violent or minor offenses—results in costly and detrimental outcomes for individuals, their families, and communities at large. Even brief periods of incarceration can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, disrupt treatment plans, and increase the risk of recidivism.

This National Criminal Justice Month, we encourage mental health professionals to join the conversation and advocate for evidence-based reforms that prioritize treatment over incarceration, promote early intervention, and support collaboration between the mental health and criminal justice systems to foster better outcomes for those we serve. 🎗

Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System:

Engaging in Prison-Based Care 

The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system presents an urgent and largely unmet need — one that calls for the direct involvement of trained mental health professionals, including clinical researchers. During a recent conversation with Mark Vogel, Development Director at NAMI-NYS and former treatment services coordinator at a maximum-security women’s prison, the troubling lack of structured mental health care within correctional facilities came to light. 

Vogel’s experience highlights the near-total absence of licensed mental health professionals within the prison system. Inmates with severe mental health conditions — from psychosis and schizophrenia to untreated trauma — are often housed alongside violent offenders, exacerbating their distress. In many cases, these individuals receive no consistent therapy or psychiatric care, and their conditions worsen in isolation. The few programs that exist are largely volunteer-based and overwhelmingly faith-driven, leaving no space for evidence-based mental health care informed by clinical research and best practices.

This reality presents a unique circumstance for the mental health research community to directly engage with underserved populations — populations that are often excluded from traditional clinical trials and data collection. Involvement in prison-based programming allows researchers to better understand how untreated trauma, severe mental illness, and systemic neglect contribute to recidivism, re-traumatization, and barriers to successful reintegration. Without this crucial data and firsthand exposure, our understanding of effective mental health interventions remains incomplete.

Vogel advocates for a simple yet transformative step: encouraging mental health professionals — including those involved in clinical research — to volunteer in prisons. Whether offering direct counseling, facilitating trauma-informed programs, or conducting observational research, these professionals bring a level of expertise and evidence-based care that is virtually absent from most facilities. By participating in or developing prison-based research initiatives, clinical researchers can help document the gaps in care, assess the efficacy of existing (often improvised) programs, and advocate for system-wide reforms rooted in data and human-centered care.

The current state of mental health care in prisons is a missed opportunity for both advancing research and addressing a profound social injustice. Clinical researchers are uniquely positioned to both study and improve the mental health outcomes of incarcerated populations — populations that disproportionately suffer from undiagnosed and untreated psychiatric conditions. By stepping into these overlooked spaces, clinical researchers can transform personal observation into actionable data, ultimately influencing policy, improving standards of care, and expanding the scope of ethical, inclusive mental health research.

Mental health clinical researchers are in a unique position to make a lasting impact by volunteering their expertise inside correctional facilities. By supporting evidence-based mental health care for incarcerated individuals, we can help break cycles of untreated trauma and recidivism. If you or your research site are interested in volunteering, partnering with advocacy organizations, or exploring prison-based research initiatives, CLICK HERE to find more information and specific ways you can act now. Together, we can advance mental health equity and create meaningful change for some of the most underserved individuals in our communities.

Every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury refers to any disruption in the normal function of the brain due to a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain damage, with symptoms varying depending on the extent and location of the injury.

Mild TBIs might result in temporary symptoms such as headache, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems. However, severe TBIs can lead to long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments, affecting an individual’s daily life, relationships, and ability to function.

Despite the prevalence of brain injuries, there are still misconceptions surrounding them. Many individuals fail to recognize the seriousness of even mild TBIs, often dismissing symptoms or failing to seek appropriate medical attention. This lack of awareness can exacerbate the consequences of brain injuries, leading to delayed treatment and prolonged recovery times.

Brain injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can have a significant impact on mental health, often leading to the development or worsening of conditions like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the injury can directly affect the brain regions responsible for emotional regulation and cognitive function, causing changes in how a person thinks, feels, and behaves; essentially, a damaged brain can lead to altered mental states and emotional responses

This month, take the time to learn about brain injuries, their causes, symptoms, and potential impacts. By understanding these aspects, you can better recognize and respond to brain injury-related issues in your community. ❤

Save the Date!

Brain Awareness Week is March 10-16

Join us to celebrate the wonders of the brain and support global brain health awareness.

Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, participants host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain, and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives.

Learn more about how you can celebrate Brain Awareness Week HERE. ❤

The FDA accepted for filing Teva Pharmaceuticals’ supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for risperidone (Uzedy) extended-release injectable suspension for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults. The sNDA is based on leveraging the existing clinical data for Uzedy along with previous findings of safety and efficacy of past risperidone formulations approved for treating bipolar I disorder.

Neurocrine Biosciences announced top-line data from the phase 4 study, KINECT-PRO, demonstrating clinically meaningful and sustained effects of valbenazine (Ingrezza) capsules on the physical, social, and emotional impacts experienced by patients living with tardive dyskinesia, regardless of severity or underlying psychiatric conditions.

BMS' EMERGENT-5 trial confirmed xanomeline and trospium's (Cobenfy) long-term efficacy and safety in schizophrenia, with significant improvements in PANSS scores over 52 weeks. Xanomeline's novel mechanism as an M1/M4 muscarinic receptor agonist, combined with trospium, offers a new treatment approach with reduced adverse effects. The treatment was well tolerated, with mild gastrointestinal issues as the most common adverse events and no significant weight gain or metabolic disturbances.

BMS' EMERGENT-4 trial showed sustained symptom improvement, with 68.6% of participants achieving significant PANSS score reductions by week 52.

Axsome Therapeutics' AXS-05, an investigational treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), was effective in reducing depressive symptoms while maintaining a manageable safety profile. MADRS scores reduced consistently over 6 weeks and showed an improvement in score after week 1. This remained true across all demographics given AXS-05.

MindMed has dosed the first patient in its second phase 3 trial evaluating lysergide D-tartrate (LSD) as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). MindMed's phase 3 trial for LSD in GAD introduces a 50 µg dose to reduce unblinding bias and enhance result reliability. The trial will enroll 250 participants, with a primary endpoint measuring anxiety score changes at week 12. MM120 ODT, using Zydis technology, offers rapid absorption and efficacy, receiving FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation.

GH Research said its inhaled version of mebufotenin — a molecular cousin to psilocybin — was fast and effective in a treatment-resistant depression trial. The trial recruited 81 people with treatment-resistant depression and evaluated them via a widely used, 60-point scale where larger scores mean more severe depressive symptoms. The drug hit the study’s main goal by showing that participants taking it had their scores drop 15.5 points more than those who were given a placebo. GH Research called the drug “ultra-rapid,” providing relief just eight days into treatment. By that time, 58% of patients in the drug arm were in remission, compared with 0% in the placebo group. Among 54 patients who then completed an “extension” portion of the study — in which everyone knowingly got the drug — the remission rate was 78% at the six-month mark.

Cybin announced the initiation of PARADIGM, a phase 3 pivotal program evaluating the efficacy and safety of CYB003 for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). CYB003, a deuterated psilocybin molecule, is being evaluated for MDD in the PARADIGM phase 3 program, which includes three pivotal studies: APPROACH, EMBRACE, and EXTEND, targeting patients with moderate to severe MDD inadequately responding to current antidepressants. Phase 2 trials showed significant symptom improvement and high remission rates with CYB003, supporting the phase 3 design's focus on durable, intermittent treatment.

Newleos Therapeutics raised $93.5M to advance 4 neuropsychiatric cast-offs from Roche. Newleos’ lead molecule is NTX-1955, a GABAA-γ1 selective positive allosteric modulator for the treatment of anxiety, targeting receptors in the amygdala. It’s structurally related to benzodiazepines, which also target GABA receptors in the brain. The second, basmisanil, another GABA modulator that Newleos is looking at to treat cognitive impairment in rare-neurodevelopmental indications, including dup15q11 syndrome. Other molecules include NTX-2001, to treat substance abuse disorders to curb cravings and NTX-1472, a V1a antagonist for social anxiety.

Neumora halted one trial of its depression drug navacaprant and paused a pair of late-stage studies as it tries to learn from a recent phase 3 failure. The KOASTAL-1 study, which read out in January, showed that changes on a depression rating scale were exactly the same among patients who received the oral kappa opioid receptor antagonist and those who received placebo after six weeks of daily dosing. Neumora has paused its KOASTAL-2 and -3 trials while it makes a number of changes, including limiting the number of trial sites to those that “we believe have the greatest level of expertise in conducting MDD studies.”

Supernus Pharmaceuticals announced that SPN-820 for the treatment of adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) failed to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement on the primary endpoint of change from baseline in a phase 2b study. Supernus will continue to analyze these data and discuss the future of the program with development partner, Navitor Pharmaceuticals.

Adial Pharmaceuticals received a patent for genotype-specific treatment of substance use disorders using AD04, a selective serotonin-3 receptor antagonist. AD04 targets patients with specific genetic markers linked to substance use disorders and treatment with AD04.

Largest genetic study of bipolar disorder identifies 298 regions of the genome that increase risk for the condition.  The study identified 298 genomic regions with DNA variations increasing bipolar disorder risk, a four-fold increase from previous findings.

Researchers identified 36 genes potentially linked to bipolar disorder, offering new avenues for drug target exploration and development.

The FDA approved of key modifications to the administration protocol for injectable long-acting opioid use disorder treatment buprenorphine (Sublocade). These key modifications include a rapid treatment initiation protocol and expanded alternative injection site options.

The FDA announced it will eliminate the risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program for clozapine and does not expect prescribers, pharmacies, and patients to report results of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) blood tests before pharmacies dispense clozapine. Despite removing REMS, the FDA still advises monitoring ANC levels, maintaining safety warnings in prescribing information. This decision is expected to decrease health care burdens and improve clozapine access, with manufacturers updating prescribing information accordingly.

The FDA has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) in follow-up to the New Drug Application (NDA) for roluperidone (MIN-101) as a treatment for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In the CRL, the FDA cited several clinical areas for improvement necessary for future approval of roluperidone. Minerva Neurosciences will be required to submit at least 1 additional positive, adequately controlled study to support the safety and efficacy of roluperidone in the treatment of negative symptoms, as well as further data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of roluperidone when co-administered with antipsychotic medications and to establish the long-term safety of the proposed dose.

US judge blocks Trump administration from cutting NIH grants amid ongoing litigation. Judge Angel Kelley in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ordered a preliminary injunction that stops the NIH funding changes from occurring amid ongoing litigation. The decision is "a major win for research institutions across the country" but the Trump administration is expected to appeal and has argued it acted within its discretion. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees NIH, declined to comment.

Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is proposed as a DSM subcategory to address complex childhood trauma. Children with prolonged and repetitive childhood adversities during critical neurodevelopmental periods consistently demonstrate psychological disturbances not well-defined by PTSD diagnosis alone. DTD reflects how pervasive psychological effects of childhood adversity as related to self-dysregulation extend into inadequate, underdeveloped adult relationships and deficits in lifelong functionality.

Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, a task force of experts in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder that was convened to address possible changes in the DSM-5 criteria, particularly in the definitions of (hypo)manic episodes. In differentiating bipolar I from bipolar II, the majority voted that the DSM should continue to include marked disturbance in functioning at work or socially during manias to diagnose bipolar I disorder. However, the criterion that hospitalization for the mania would automatically qualify the patient for bipolar I was strongly opposed. This requirement was considered arbitrary and too dependent on local health services practices, insurance, or other external factors. However, if the patient was hospitalized, that certainly could be an indicator of severity and likely mania. The task force agreed that psychosis during mania should be retained as a criterion for bipolar I mania.

One Mind, a leading mental health non-profit based in Napa Valley, CA, today announced the 2025 cohort of its flagship One Mind Accelerator program. Thanks to considerable contributions from this year’s supporters, the new cohort will grow from 10 to 16 companies and an official alumni program will offer year-round support for all past and present participants. Check out the sixteen companies selected to participate in the 2025 session at the headline link.

Murphy Introduces Legislation to Eliminate IRA "Pill Penalty" and Improve Small Molecule Drug Innovation. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. introduced H.R. 1492, the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act, alongside Reps. Don Davis (NC-01) and Richard Hudson (NC-09). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation fixes the Inflation Reduction Act's small molecule "pill penalty," to ensure continued R&D investments into small molecule medicines. Small molecule funding has dropped by 70% since September 2021 when the IRA was introduced.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on January 14 released its second report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), this time alleging the companies marked up prices for cancer, HIV, and other medications by up to “thousands of percent.” The findings are part of the agency’s multiyear investigation into PBMs that began in 2022. The report focuses on the three largest PBMs in the US—CVS Health’s CVS Caremark, Cigna’s Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx—and how they influenced the prices of specialty generic medicines.

PR Week Awards BMS' Live Your PossSCZible campaign Best in Mental Health + Well-Being Winner

Bristol Myers Squibb and RxMosaic built the Live Your PosSCZible campaign on the pillars of empathy and compassion. The goal was a complete retelling of the experience of living with schizophrenia, representing the spectrum of people living with the condition and bringing to life the value they bring to their families, their communities and society at large. Partnerships with around 15 influencers allowed them to tell their stories and when Broadway star Taye Diggs, whose sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia, joined the effort the campaign was able to reach a broad range of trade, consumer, local and Black-focused publications.

The campaign propelled awareness of schizophrenia with coverage across outlets including People, CBS News, NBC News, In Touch Weekly, ET, Essence,US Weekly, Daily Mail and BlackDoctor.org. It had an estimated 5.58 million video views and 86,400 engagements with the content.

Congratulations to the phenomenal BMS team and all of those that supported and participated in this truly special campaign!

Inflation Reduction Act provisions hit the schizophrenia community especially hard, threatening treatment innovation for vulnerable patients already stuck with decades-old medicines.

Check out S&PAA's report on how IRA provisions are putting SMI medications at risk.

Women's History Month: Advancing Equity in Clinical Research

Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of healthcare — as caregivers, advocates, and patients. Yet, for decades, clinical research disproportionately focused on men, leaving critical gaps in understanding how diseases and treatments impact women. Today, women’s increasing participation in clinical trials is transforming medical research, ensuring innovations reflect the true diversity of the population.

As highlighted in a recent Segal Trials blog post, women’s involvement in research is essential because their bodies are not just smaller versions of men’s. Women experience different hormonal cycles, metabolize medications differently, and present symptoms for many conditions in unique ways. Including women in clinical trials leads to more accurate diagnoses, tailored treatments, and improved outcomes for all.

Women’s participation is also driving advancements in personalized medicine, helping researchers develop therapies that better address individual needs. From reproductive health to heart disease and autoimmune disorders, trials focused on women’s health challenges deliver critical insights that shape prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women advancing science through research participation. Their contributions are not just improving healthcare for women — they’re building a more inclusive, effective future for everyone. Learn more at Segal Trials' blog post on 'Her Story, Her Impact: The Power of Participation in Shaping the Future of Medicine'.

Register now for S&PAA's Webinar: FDA REMS Program Abolished - What does it mean for you?

March 12th at Noon ET

Join S&PAA and a panel of leading experts on March 12 at Noon ET to talk about the implications of FDA’s momentous decision to eliminate its clozapine REMS restrictions. We’ll discuss what pharmacies, insurance companies, prescribers and others can do to help make clozapine accessible to the people who need it, and what people with schizophrenia can do in the meantime.

The announcement of the REMS removal has led to a flurry of questions among clozapine stakeholders about how to cut through the complicated web of insurance rules and other barriers that people with schizophrenia, prescribers and pharmacies have faced for years.



Register now to secure your spot and get your questions answered!

The latest from

NFSTAC Family Connections Webinar: 988 & 911 – What to Know, What to Do: March 6th, 1:30pm ET

Join us for a critical conversation on the differences, myths, and facts about “988 and 911: What to Know, What to Do.”

NFSTAC Office Hour: Teaming with Mobile Crisis to Connect Families to Support

Tuesday, March 11th at 3pm ET

Learn about the data from a NC pilot program that shows that when mobile crisis teams partner with family peers, outcomes for youth and family are improved.

Family Collective Podcast: Communities, Families, Violence

Lee Davis discusses community engagement, collective impact and giving back to communities, as well as his own lived experience from self-described “project kid” to a changemaker.

Letters to Strangers Opens Applications for 7th Annual Mental Health Scholarships — $11,000 Up for Grabs

Win from $11,000 for mental health treatment, education, and/or advocacy with the Letters to Strangers Mental Health Scholarships!

As always, the scholarships are completely free and open to everyone 13+ as long as you apply by April 1st. 

Learn more about the scholarships

and last year's winners here. 

Mention that you are a member of the STARR community and benefit from a weighted entry!

Anxiety, racing heart, a sudden overwhelming fear — for many, these symptoms are all too familiar.

World Panic Day seeks to shed light on the experience of those with panic disorders, aiming to educate, support, and destigmatize these intense episodes of fear.

This year, World Panic Day is on March 15th. The intent is to increase awareness about panic disorders and serves as a day to provide education on the signs and symptoms, offer resources and support to those affected, and challenge the societal stigma surrounding mental health disorders.

Understanding, empathy, and knowledge are key to supporting those with panic disorders. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Educate Yourself: Understand what a panic disorder is, its triggers, and its manifestations. Knowledge is power.
• Open Conversations: Encourage dialogues about mental health, fostering environments where individuals feel safe sharing their experiences.
• Share Resources: Distribute information about helplines, therapy options, and coping mechanisms.
• Engage on Social Media: Use the official hashtags to share stories, spread awareness, and challenge misconceptions about panic disorders.
• Show Support: Be there for those in your community. A little understanding can go a long way.

March 30th is World Bipolar Day.

This worldwide awareness initiative provides us a chance to share information and resources that help eliminate the stigma around bipolar disorder and support those living with the condition on their journey to wellness.

To celebrate World Bipolar Day, our friends at DBSA have put together resources, support, and hope for people living with bipolar disorder.

Check out the information and resources HERE. ❤

Join the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for their annual meeting on April 3rd - 5th, 2025 in Las Vegas. Join us for a dynamic exploration of research findings and clinical solutions, as we work towards building a brighter future for our youth.

Mark your calendar! Join us May 14-15 in Washington, D.C., for S&PAA's 2nd annual SPRING Summit! We’ll bring together people with schizophrenia, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and others for two days of panel sessions, workshops and collaboration as we continue to activate our Roadmap to Recovery. Join us at the only forum specifically dedicated to the needs of the schizophrenia community and designed to identify actionable solutions. Click here to sign up to receive the invitation with the full agenda, reception info, speakers and a registration link. We can’t wait to see you in May!

The 2025 ASCP Annual Meeting will be held May 27-30 2025 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year's theme is 'Navigating the Evolution of Clinical Psychiatry: When is Newer Better?' The Late-Breaking Posters submission deadline is March 28, 2025. More info on 2025 ASCP Annual Meeting here.

At NAMICon 2025, we’re meeting you where you are—whether at home, at work, or on your unique mental health journey. Held virtually from June 11-13, this year’s conference is your chance to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change. The 2025 Call for Proposals is Open! Share your story, experiences, and transformative ideas to inspire and empower a diverse audience. Whether through personal insights or innovative research, your voice has the power to challenge perspectives and drive change in mental health. More information and to submit a proposal here.

Save the Date: Mental Health America 2025 Conference, will be held October 16-17 in Washington D.C. Details coming soon. The 2025 Call for Proposals is open. For more information and to submit a proposal, click here.

DBSA Partnership Opportunities

DBSA relies on partners to ensure that people living with mood disorders continue to have access to online and in-person peer support groups, peer specialist training, and life-saving education. Your support also enables DBSA to continue its local, state, and national advocacy efforts, placing peer voices at the forefront when determining needs and best practices for mental health services.

In 2025, DBSA is celebrating the last 40 years and will look to the future with several key events and educational and awareness activities. Your sponsorship will enable these celebratory activities to occur and provide programmatic support to DBSA.

Please click here to view our 40th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities.

Check out our post from Research Ambassador, Douglas Meron, a peer support specialist living with schizoaffective disorder. Douglas shares his experience mentoring a peer support intern at the psychiatric hospital where he was once a resident. Drawing from his own recovery, Douglas emphasized the importance of consistent medication adherence, support networks, coping skills, and personal storytelling to foster hope and resilience.

His mentoree, a recent graduate of an 80-hour peer support training, initially lacked confidence in her own resilience. Through shadowing Douglas, sharing her story, and gradually leading recovery groups, she began to recognize her own strengths.

Douglas employed reflexive listening techniques, recovery language, and structured tools like the "Productive Day" planner to help both residents and his mentoree set goals, practice self-advocacy, and identify personal strengths. The mentorship not only helped the mentoree gain confidence and develop leadership skills, but also allowed Douglas to strengthen his management abilities, including providing constructive feedback and fostering mutual growth.

This collaborative learning process exemplifies how peer support specialists with lived experience can enhance recovery-oriented care in psychiatric settings. By empowering individuals to recognize their resilience and fostering mutual growth, peer mentorship programs help build a culture of hope and self-advocacy, benefiting both residents and clinical staff alike.

Check out the full -- and beautiful -- article HERE. 💚

The Harley Jacobsen Clinical Trial Participation Income Exemption Act seeks to exclude all payments to participants in clinical trials from being treated as taxable income so welfare benefits are not put at risk.



WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION?

1. Sign the petition on Change.org to show your support for the Harley Jacobsen Act. Share the petition with your network and colleagues.

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2.  Sign on the Mural Health website, supporting the Harley Jacobsen Act.

Thank you for reading!

If you have questions, comments, or would like to submit an item to be included in an upcoming newsletter, please email erica@thestarr.org.