About Us
Welcome to STAR-Center, founded in 1986 by a bi-partisan Pennsylvania General Assembly subcommittee to investigate teen suicide. [The Center is listed in the Pennsylvania State Budget under Department of Education, University of Pittsburgh,
Western Teen Suicide Center.]
Clinical Services. Since its inception, STAR-Center’s outpatient clinic has assessed and treated over 7300 children and adolescents at risk for suicide. The Center serves as the focal point for our efforts to develop new knowledge in preventing and treating suicidal behaviors, depression and interpersonal violence. Our staff has attracted 15 external grants, bringing in over $45 million in support for suicide treatment research and educational outreach. Our nationally recognized Survivors of Suicide community support group has met monthly for over 20 years. STAR-Center provides intensive training programs to educators, mental health professionals, and concerned citizens in the recognition and referral of at-risk youth.
Postvention and Crisis Response Services. When a suicide or tragedy occurs in a school district, our Outreach staff consults with educators on how to provide
postvention services. As always, our staff continues to be available by telephone to any district or agency 24 hours a day (412-864-3346). Many school districts across the country have come to rely on our
Postvention Standards Manual. Technical Assistance and Publications. In the past 14 years alone, STAR-Center provided technical assistance,
training,
conferences, or resource materials to over 75,000 people. Our
STAR-Center Link newsletter is available through
e-mail and is also available here on our website. STAR-Center clinicians have written guides on teen depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, cognitive behavior treatment, and emotional regulation.
For additional information about the STAR-Center and our work in the Commonwealth, please feel free to contact us at 412-864-3346.
For clinical referrals please contact us at 412-246-5619.