The STARR Coalition

03/20/2026

Here's something that might surprise you 👇

More people with mental illness are treated inside jails and prisons than anywhere else in the U.S. — and many of them have no access to clinical research that could change their outcomes.

This March, we're asking: what does a more just and humane research ecosystem look like?

Read our full take and share it with your community if this conversation matters to you.

These are the voices we need in this space.

🔗 https://thestarr.org/news/criminal-justice-month-a-spotlight-on-the-nations-largest-mental-health-provider/

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Each March, Criminal Justice Month offers a moment to reckon with the uncomfortable reality that the U.S. criminal justice system has, by default, become the largest mental health care provider in the country. An estimated 44% of people in jails and 37% in state and federal prisons have a history of...

03/20/2026

As Brain Awareness Week comes to a close, let's reflect on why this matters for mental health research. 🧠💙

This week reminded us that understanding the brain is fundamental to understanding mental health. Every advance in neuroscience - every imaging breakthrough, every discovery about neural pathways, every insight into brain chemistry - brings us closer to better treatments for psychiatric conditions.

The connection is clear: Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders - these aren't abstract diagnoses. They're brain-based conditions that deserve the same rigorous scientific investigation as any other neurological disorder.

Clinical researchers and advocates: Brain Awareness Week may be ending, but our work continues year-round.

When we normalize mental health research as brain science, we:

✓ Reduce stigma around psychiatric conditions
✓ Build public trust in clinical trials
✓ Strengthen the case for research funding
✓ Inspire the next generation of neuroscientists

Let's keep the momentum going.

- Share one brain science fact with your network this week.
- Talk about mental health research as neuroscience.
- Help bridge the gap between brain science and mental health in public understanding.

Because when people understand that mental health IS brain health, they're more likely to see clinical research as essential - not optional.

What's one thing you learned during Brain Awareness Week?

Share in the comments! 👇

03/18/2026

Meet our 2025 STARR Advocate of the Year - Students With Psychosis (SWP) 💚

In December, at our 2025 Annual Award Celebration, we honored SWP and its founder Cecilia McGough for a year of extraordinary leadership: keynoting national conferences, launching employment initiatives, and showing the world what it looks like when young people with lived experience of psychosis lead the way.

Their message is simple and powerful: people living with serious mental illness aren't cautionary tales - they're changemakers.

This is the heart of why clinical research trust matters.

Share this post so more people can discover SWP's work 👇

🔗 https://thestarr.org/news/students-with-psychosis-starr-advocate-of-the-year/

At the 2025 STARR Annual Award Celebration, Students With Psychosis (SWP) was honored as this year's STARR Advocate of the Year -- recognizing a year of thoughtful, steady leadership on behalf of young people living with serious mental illness. Throughout 2025, SWP continued to strengthen its role a...

03/17/2026

💚 Know a high school student making a difference in mental health awareness?

The STARR Coalition is looking for nominations for our Stop the Stigma Champion Award - honoring a high school student who has shown outstanding courage and leadership in breaking down mental health stigma in their community.

Our previous winner, Max Delgado of Rogers High School in Arkansas, helped lead his school's Out of the Darkness Walk, advocated for mental health legislation at the Arkansas State Capitol, and helped build a student mental health group of 100 students. The impact one student can have is remarkable.

This year's winner could be someone you know.

Nominations are open now - submit yours by visiting:

🔗 https://thestarr.org/stopthestigma/

Please share this with your network - help us find the next Stop the Stigma Champion! 💚

The STARR Stop the Stigma Champion Award recognizes a high school student who has made an outstanding contribution to destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting a supportive environment within their school community.

03/16/2026

Did you know that adding lithium to treatment for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder cut adverse events - including su***de attempts - by more than two-thirds in just one year? 📉

This is exactly the kind of research that needs to reach more people. Not just clinicians - but anyone who cares about mental health outcomes.

📬 Read more in our March newsletter and share it with someone in your circle who should know about this work:

🔗 https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lithium-decreases-su***de-risk-and-recurrent-episodes-in-bipolar-and-major-depressive-disorders

Adjunctive lithium sharply reduces relapse and suicidal ideation, and attempts in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

03/16/2026

It's Brain Awareness Week! 🧠✨

This week (March 16-22), the Dana Foundation's global campaign invites us to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Communities around the world are hosting events that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives.

For clinical researchers and advocates in mental health:

This is OUR week to shine a spotlight on why brain science matters - and why mental health research is essential to understanding and treating psychiatric conditions.

Ways to participate:

✓ Share brain science facts with your networks
✓ Host or attend a local Brain Awareness Week event
✓ Use this week to educate your community about clinical research
✓ Follow along on social media:

Mental health research IS brain research.

Every trial, every breakthrough, every participant who chooses to engage with clinical research brings us closer to understanding the brain's complexity and developing better treatments.

Help us spread awareness:

Share this post and use the hashtag to amplify the importance of neuroscience and mental health research.

Together, we can inspire the next generation of scientists and ensure continued support for the research that transforms lives.

Learn more: https://dana.org/brain-awareness-week/

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.

03/15/2026

Today is World Panic Day - a day to shed light on panic disorders and support those who experience them. 💙

For many, panic attacks aren't rare occurrences - they're a regular, overwhelming reality.

Racing heart, difficulty breathing, intense fear - these symptoms can be debilitating and isolating, especially when misunderstood.

Clinical researchers and advocates: Panic disorder is a treatable condition, and clinical research is advancing our understanding of effective interventions. From cognitive behavioral approaches to pharmacological treatments, trials are exploring new ways to help people manage and overcome panic disorder.

How you can help:
✓ Share educational resources about panic disorder
✓ Challenge misconceptions in your communities
✓ Talk about clinical research opportunities for anxiety disorders
✓ Show empathy and understanding for those affected

When we normalize conversations about panic disorder and research participation, we help reduce stigma and connect people with potentially life-changing treatments.

Share this post to help spread awareness.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gR2Rw766

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

03/13/2026

Here's a question worth sitting with this Friday:

What actually makes someone trust a clinical research site enough to participate?

At a recent Congressional briefing, our own Erica Moore spoke to the dual stigma many people face - not just around a mental health diagnosis, but around research itself.

Building trust isn't a marketing problem. It's a relationship problem, and it gets solved one community connection at a time.

If you work with research sites, advocacy organizations, or mental health communities - what have you seen actually move the needle?

We'd love to hear from you in the comments.

🔗 Missed the video? Catch the full briefing recap here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FVsbwlcLP0

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/10/2026

Did you know that stigma doesn't just keep people from seeking treatment - it also keeps people from participating in the research that leads to better treatments?

At a recent Congressional briefing, The STARR Coalition joined researchers, advocates, and members of Congress to talk about exactly this. The science of mental health has never been stronger. But science only changes lives when people trust it enough to engage.

If you work with patients, families, or communities affected by mental health conditions, we're asking you to share this video.

You have reach we don't.

Help us build the trust that makes clinical research possible.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/09/2026

Our March newsletter is here!

Read about our 2025 STARR Advocate of the Year, Students With Psychosis, news about Criminal Justice Month, updates from our Certified Sites, and more!

Email from The STARR Coalition Criminal Justice Month, Latest Site News, ICYMI news, and more!   STARR News & Updates March 2026 Students With Psychosis Honored as STARR Advocate of the Year At the 20

03/06/2026

Our partners at Rural Minds are doing critical work to address farmer mental health.

Did you know farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by su***de than the general population?

Their free Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program offers practical tools, mental health education, and support designed specifically for the unique pressures of farming life.

Share this resource with agricultural communities. 🌾💙

Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program This hub offers practical mental health resources, conversation tools, and real-world support tailored to the unique pressures of farming and rural life. Created for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural communities, this free program is designed to strengthen r...

03/06/2026

Key takeaways from our "Fueling the Future" webinar last week. 🧠💙

Last week, Katie Sale (American Brain Coalition), Catherine Gamble, M.S. (Bristol Myers Squibb), Mallory Mercer Witham (Pillar Clinical Research), and our own Erica Moore, MBA discussed the future of mental health research.

One theme emerged loud and clear:

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡.

The panel discussed how to build trust by reducing confusion and increasing transparency. When participants feel valued and understand what to expect, consent feels less intimidating and research becomes demystified.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬:
How are you building trust with potential participants at your sites?

Drop your strategies in the comments.

Your experience could help another site strengthen their approach to community engagement.

Let's continue the conversation.

Missed the webinar? You can view the recording on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj4Q9ZKLa2k&t=14s

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.