The STARR Coalition

12/24/2025

The Power of Connection 💙

This holiday season, STARR Certified Sites are giving back to their communities. We want to create safe spaces where people can connect and feel supported.

That's the power of connection — and what makes STARR Certified Sites special all year long!

Learn more: https://thestarr.org/news/power-connection/

At The STARR Coalition, we believe that trust is built where research meets community. The STARR Site Certification program was designed around this principle -- recognizing that clinical research thrives not just on scientific excellence, but on compassion, transparency, and connection. Certified s...

12/17/2025

The holidays can be hard. 💙

If you're feeling stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed this season instead of joyful, you're not alone. The "holiday blues" are real — and there are practical steps you can take to protect your emotional wellbeing.

Our new article shares 9 helpful strategies, including:

- Setting healthy boundaries (it's okay to say "no")
- Creating small daily rituals that bring joy
- Reconnecting with supportive people
- Giving back through volunteering
- Recognizing when you might need help

Remember: This season doesn't have to be perfect. Mental health doesn't take a holiday, and it's okay to prioritize what you need right now.

Read more tips and resources here:

As the holidays approach, many people feel expected to be joyful — but for others, this time of year brings stress, loneliness, or grief. If you find yourself dreading seasonal pressures, you’re not alone. The “holiday blues” may be common, but there are tools and choices you can use to redu...

12/10/2025

Looking back at 2025, we're proud of what we've accomplished together!

Every post you've shared, every discussion you've joined - it all contributes to building public trust in clinical research as a legitimate care option.

Thank you for amplifying our mission! 💙

What's one thing YOU'RE proud of accomplishing in mental health research this year? Share below! 👇

12/09/2025

Our December newsletter is here!

Read more about the latest outreach efforts from the STARR Certified Sites, updates on STARR activities - including our upcoming STARR Awards Celebration! - and our roundup of ICYMI news.

Check it out:

Email from The STARR Coalition STARR Awards Celebration, Latest Site News, So much great ICYMI News   STARR News & Updates December 2025 We invite everyone to join the STARR Annual Awards Celebration

12/08/2025

Myth-Busting Monday! 💙

Mental health clinical research is often misunderstood. Myths and misconceptions keep people from accessing potentially life-changing treatments.

The truth? Clinical trials are safe, regulated, and provide access to innovative care.

Research is the most reliable path to better treatments and cures for mental illness.
We've put together the facts to counter the most common myths about mental health research.

Share this resource to help educate your community and reduce stigma!

Read more: https://thestarr.org/dispelling-myths-about-clinical-research/

12/03/2025

This December, we're celebrating YOU - the clinical researchers, advocates, and partners who make STARR Coalition's mission possible.

Your dedication to advancing mental health research helps patients access cutting-edge treatments through clinical trials.

Thank you for being part of our community and for everything you do to reduce stigma and build trust in mental health research.

Tag a colleague or partner who inspires you! 💙

11/28/2025

Start your Holiday Giving Today!

The STARR Coalition emphasizes community engagement. We want to foster healthier workplaces, build trust, and connect research to the communities we serve.

This coming month is the perfect time to strengthen ties.

Here are some community-building ideas to uplift staff, volunteers, and your local community this season:

🧣 Organize a "Warm Wishes" winter essentials drive
🍪 Support social enterprises like Clubhouses
💌 Facilitate holiday card exchanges for patients
☕ Host community coffee & conversation events

These simple gestures spread joy, reduce stigma, and deepen connection to the community.

What is your team planning to do this coming month?

Read here for all 10 ideas: https://lnkd.in/gSzCdmGy

11/25/2025

Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research is looking for participants for their Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trial.

Call 330-493-1118 today to sign up for our Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trial. Participants may be compensated for time and travel.

Last Friday, our Ohio Center for Hope team had an amazing time at the Shorb Market! We loved meeting community members, sharing healthy snacks, & talking about our ongoing study on Sickle Cell Disease, raising awareness and encouraging participation to help improve health outcomes in our community.

The Shorb Market and Connection Center is such a gem offering fresh, healthy foods at no cost four days a week, along with a community classroom, local resources, & welcoming space for neighbors to connect & grow. We’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by and to the Shorb Market team for all the incredible work they do every day!

11/21/2025

Join Rural Minds for a free webinar!

"Alcohol Use Disorder Among Women in Rural America"
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 4 PM ET

Women in rural communities face unique barriers - isolation, stigma, and limited access to care. This webinar features lived experience and Mayo Clinic research on supporting women with AUD.

Learn more and register: bit.ly/43L6dXg

Women living in rural America face unique challenges related to alcohol use disorder (AUD). Economic stress and social isolation can increase vulnerability for alcohol misuse. Stigma surrounding AUD is greater due to a lack of anonymity, limited access to treatment, and social norms that discourage....

11/20/2025

Think about the high school student in your life who:

✨ Speaks up when others stay silent about mental health
✨ Makes their friends feel safe opening up
✨ Challenges the "just get over it" mentality
✨ Shows up for their peers who are struggling

That's a Stop the Stigma Champion.

We want to honor students who are brave enough to normalize mental health conversations and create supportive communities. If you know someone making this kind of difference, they deserve recognition.

Nominate them here: https://lnkd.in/ebGzSkJz

It only takes a few minutes and could mean the world to a deserving student. 💙

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

11/19/2025

🎄✨ The holidays are here—time to spread joy and strengthen community connections! ✨🎄

Community engagement is at the heart of what we do at The STARR Coalition. It builds trust, fosters healthier workplaces, and connects research to the people we serve.

This season, we're sharing 10 creative holiday giving campaigns your site can implement, including:

🎁 Host a "Giving Tree" for local mental health organizations
☕ Organize a community coffee & conversation event
🧣 Collect winter essentials with encouraging notes
💌 Create holiday cards to brighten spirits

These meaningful gestures uplift staff, volunteers, and the community while reducing stigma and building goodwill.

Start planning now!

Get all 10 ideas here ➡️ https://thestarr.org/news/holiday-giving-and-outreach/

Start Planning Now for Your Holiday Giving & Outreach Community engagement is a cornerstone of the STARR Site Certification for good reason: it fosters happier, healthier workplaces and serves as a force for good locally, while connecting research to the community and building trust. The holidays ar...

11/17/2025

💙 This November, we celebrate Family Caregivers 💙

National Family Caregiver Appreciation Month honors those who provide essential care to loved ones living with chronic illness, mental health conditions, or disabilities. These caregivers are the unsung heroes of healthcare - managing appointments, medications, crises, and emotional support, often while balancing their own lives and responsibilities.

For those supporting individuals with serious mental illness, caregiving can be especially complex. They navigate unpredictable systems, manage stigma, and advocate for dignity and understanding.

This month, we're encouraging everyone to recognize caregivers through simple gestures: appreciation events, resource kits, walls of gratitude, and community connection events.

Together, we can honor those who walk beside participants on their research journey and strengthen mental health care for all.

Learn more ways to celebrate caregivers
➡️ https://thestarr.org/news/celebrating-family-caregivers/

November is National Family Caregiver Appreciation Month - a time to recognize the compassion, strength, and resilience of those who provide essential care and support to loved ones living with chronic illness, mental health conditions, or disabilities. These caregivers are often the unsung heroes o...