The STARR Coalition is proud to announce the launch of STARR 911, a training program designed to help clinical researchers better identify patients with thoughts of self-harm and to rapidly and appropriately assist those patients. Created by the STARR Coalition and consortium of dedicated stakeholders, STAR 911 is intended to bridge the gap between clinical research and suicide prevention.

While patients are rigorously screened for suicidal thoughts prior to joining a study, many are simply rejected from participation rather than receiving the help they need. With STARR 911, research staff can properly recognize patients with suicidal inclinations and assist using intervention tools and access to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. To achieve this, STARR Coalition partnered with Evolution Research Group, LLC (“ERG”), to sponsor an on-site training video to serve as the first step towards a consistent training platform.

“Evolution Research Group works every day to find cures for many neuropsychiatric disease. Statistically, those with chronic conditions have a 363 percent higher rate of completing suicide. When the research industry wanted to make a difference, ERG immediately asked how they could help,” said Luke Kramer, executive director at the STARR Coalition. Luke Co-Founded the STARR Coalition with Carol Witham, who was also one of the co-founders of ERG.

Headquartered in New Providence, New Jersey, ERG is a leading independent clinical research site business that specializes in central nervous system disorders. Already deeply involved in mental health research, ERG recognized the need for better suicide prevention training within the industry.

“As a member of the ERG family, I am proud that our organization stepped up to help make the STARR 911 training video a reality,” said Nichole Gutierrez, Site Director at Woodland Research Northwest in Rogers, Arkansas and the ERG representative for the STARR 911 initiative. “This is something that I hold very dear to my heart, and I truly appreciate the collaborative support from my group. As an industry, it is my home that STARR 911 can bring all of us together to help save lives.”

For more information on STARR 911, contact the STARR Coalition at STARR911@thestarr.org or by calling (833) 782-7791.

About The STARR Coalition
The STARR Coalition is a nonprofit organization with a mission to build unbiased, collaborative initiatives to reduce the stigma associated with mental health disorders and to promote research as an option for those seeking help. The organization brings together thought leaders from the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations, clinical research sites and patient advocacy groups.

About Evolution Research Group
Evolution Research Group, LLC is comprised of ten fully-owned and operated clinical research sites, Thievon-Wright Consulting Group, and an established network of 12 affiliated clinical research sites. ERG conducts a wide range of both simple and highly complex trials in specialized populations including those suffering from psychiatric and neurological disorders, sleep disorder, addictions, acute and chronic pain, renal insufficiency and hepatic impairment as well as normal healthy volunteers.