The STAR Center provides Support, Technical Assistance and Resources to assist consumer-operated and consumer-supporter programs in meeting the needs of under-served populations.  Specifically, the STAR Center’s focus areas are cultural competence and diversity in the context of mental health recovery and consumer self-help and self-empowerment.  Although we are a national technical assistance center, the following regions have been designated as STAR Center focus regions/states:  Washington DC, Rhode Island, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico.     

In pursuit of this mission we offer a broad array of technical assistance to consumer operated and peer run programs, including technical assistance materials and tools, informative newsletters and listservs, national teleconferences, consumer networking and resource sharing opportunities, and support in the form of mini-grant awards for creative recovery-based activities, scholarships for Alternatives conferences.

Meet the Staff | Contact Us

The STAR Center is funded by a grant from the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Please visit our partner TA Centers:

• National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center at Mental Health America
• National Empowerment Center
• National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
• The Family Café

With grateful acknowledgment to the federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
CMHS was established under the 1992 ADAMHA Reorganization Act, Public Law 102-321, which mandates CMHS' leadership role in delivering mental health services, generating and applying new knowledge, and establishing national mental health policy. CMHS is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (opens in new window), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (opens in new window).

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Partner Links

Boston Marathon Tragedy: Providing Psychological First Aid to Those Affected

In the aftermath of the tragedy at the 2013 Boston Marathon, people will need mental health support as much as medical support. Therefore, it's crucial to help medical professionals, first responders, family members, and victims both administer or receive the proper psychological first aid.

This mental health awareness toolkit provides first responders-whether they are disaster response workers, parents, caregivers, or teachers-with specific tips for responding effectively to people in the wake of a disaster. The information is meant to help alleviate painful emotions and promote hope and healing.

Additional Resources

-Grief Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy [PDF-230 KB]
-In the Wake of Trauma: Tips for College Students

Crisis Counseling via Phone or Text
The toll-free Disaster Distress Helpline,
1-800-985-5990 can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is also available via SMS-text "TalkWithUs" to 66746. Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals who provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.

Call 1-800-985-5990 | Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746

Ask the Doctor Teleconference Series

NAMI's Ask the Doctor teleconference is a monthly series hosted by NAMI's Medical Director, Dr. Ken Duckworth. Typically, he is joined by another mental health professional or advocate who in turn presents on a topic in his or her area of expertise. Each month, two such calls are hosted; one focuses on adult issues, the other on child and adolescent issues.

To access these calls, dial 1 (888) 858-6021 and enter pass code 309918#. These calls are always held at 11 a.m. E.T. on scheduled dates unless otherwise noted. The Ask the Doctor schedule and previously recorded podcasts can be found below.

The Next Call
April 26th Conference Call with Ray Gonzalez, ACSW on Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET)

We are pleased to announce our monthly "Ask the Doctor" call featuring Ray Gonzalez, ACSW and hosted by NAMI's Medical Director, Dr. Ken Duckworth, M.D., on Friday, April 26th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST.

Ray Gonzalez, ACSW, is the Executive Director of the Center for Cognition and Recovery (CCR). Join us as Ray speaks about Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), which is a form of cognitive remediation therapy. CET is a program developed by Prof. Gerard E. Hogarty and Samuel Flesher, Ph D, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as a treatment to aid in the psychiatric rehabilitation of people recovering from schizophrenia and related illnesses. The CET model views schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder and works on improving deficits in cognition, increasing social cognition and improving vocational effectiveness. There are now 21 CET program sites across the US with at least four more starting within the next six months. For more information on CET, please visit: www.cetcleveland.org.

Ray Gonzalez, ACSW, is a graduate of the Ohio State University School of Social Work. Gonzalez describes himself as an ÒoptimistÓ with 36 years of experience as a psychiatric social worker. He is a certified CET coach and has been co-leader of four CET groups. Gonzalez has also been a NAMI member for more than 20 years. He conducted a CET workshop at the 2012 NAMI convention in Seattle and will be a speaker at the NAMI convention in San Antonio this June.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES KITS SERIES



OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE KITS:
Treatment of Depression in Older Adults
Permanent Supportive Housing
Illness Management and Recovery
Supported Employment
Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

AND MORE ...