The STARR News: April 2021
Join us for our next Zoom Conversation:


Friday, April 30th at 3pm ET / Noon PT
Apart from PTSD studies, statistics show that 9 out of 10 individuals with a diagnosed mental illness have experienced some form of trauma. In this Trauma-Informed Care zoom conversation, we will discuss how trauma can affect research volunteers, how site staff can identify trauma-induced responses in volunteers, and some tips on creating a trauma-sensitive environment. 

We would love for you to join us – register now
and be sure to add the call to your calendar. Register HERE!
May is
Mental Health Awareness Month!

May is nationally recognized as the month to shine a spotlight on mental health and to work to raise awareness about mental health. This May, we encourage you to find ways to engage in activities and events that support mental health awareness and help start conversations about mental health in your communities.

Along with NAMI, MHA, and many other mental health advocacy organizations, The STARR Coalition has created a toolkit for you to use to help raise awareness. Check out the downloadable graphics and informational posts we've collected to support Mental Health Awareness Month HERE.

We Love Lorenzo Lewis and The Confess Project!

The Confess Project aims to improve community and promote mental health “Through The Barber Chair, One Client At A Time.” Lorenzo Lewis is the Founder and CEO of The Confess Project, a nonprofit that is building a culture of mental health for boys and men of color by empowering their frontline heroes – the barber. What started as a small movement by its committed founder has grown nationally to be recognized as America’s First Mental Health Barbershop Movement.

Featured STARR Coalition Podcast
In this podcast, Luke speaks with Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Michael, whose personal connection to mental illness drives his commitment to the importance of DBSA's work,
talks about what DBSA is doing to support those living with mental health disorders including recruiting and training more facilitators, expanding the number of local chapters, and identifying geographic and demographic communities where we want to offer more support.
DBSA provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders. Through online and print resources, nearly 600 support groups, and more than 200 chapters across the country, DBSA reaches millions of people each year with in-person and online peer support; current, readily understandable information about depression and bipolar disorder; and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness.
Are you STARR Certified?
The STARR Site Certification was created to help advance mental health clinical research by promoting community engagement, empathy, and communication between research sites, staff, patients, and advocacy groups, as well as providing support for best practices around working with advocacy, suicide prevention, and other areas that enhance clinical research.
Everything The STARR Coalition does comes from our stakeholders looking to make positive change. 
The STARR Coalition has partnered with thought-leaders across the industry and advocacy to create a National Call to Action to Support Mental Health Research. We have created a campaign consisting of actionable items anyone can do to support and help bring mental health research into the same light as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

We need everyone's help promoting this National Call to Action!

To join the Call to Action and find ways you can support mental health research right now, visit our website at www.thestarr.org/c2a
Visit us on the web at www.thestarr.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn. Be active, make change!
The STARR Coalition | phone: 501.944.8653 | fax: 501.224.1340 | www.thestarr.org