Depression and Suicide in Teenagers – Services for Teens at Risk (STAR) Center

The Services for Teens at Risk (STAR) Center is a program that combines clinical and outreach services to help prevent adolescent suicide.

The STAR-Center's mission is to offer state-of-the-art responsive care for children and adolescents with depression or anxiety, or who are at risk for suicidal behavior.

Clinical Services for At-Risk Youth and Their Families

In-depth assessment of psychiatric problems
Outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy for youths age 7 to 18
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for youths age 13 to 18 who require more intensive treatment. This three-day-a-week program provides nine hours of treatment per week and teaches coping skills and emotion regulation using principles of dialectic and cognitive behavioral therapies.
Parent education and support groups
Continuation and maintenance groups for youth who have completed therapy
Services for bereaved children, adolescents, and families

Educational Services for Students and Mental Health Professionals

STAR-Center offers educational opportunities for students and health professionals seeking to learn skills and best practices for dealing with at-risk youths.

Electives for medical students and residents to learn how to assess and treat at-risk youth with depression, anxiety, or suicidal behavior
Internships for master's and doctoral students in the mental health professions
Conferences for professionals
Webinars

College Option – Services for Transition-Age Students at Risk (CO-STAR)

In response to state-wide concern about suicide in college students, STAR-Clinic has developed a new program for students attending a western Pennsylvania college or university, called CO-STAR (College Option, Services for Transition Age Youth at Risk). The goal of CO-STAR is to partner with local colleges and universities and provide rapid and comprehensive assessment and treatment for depressed, anxious, and suicidal undergraduate college students who are:

Ages 18-24 “stepping down” from the acute inpatient level of care following a suicidal episode; students in crisis presenting at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Emergency Room (DEC) or students in crisis at university counseling centers.
Currently enrolled in undergraduate college courses
Currently experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and self-injury that require a higher level of care than weekly outpatient service

Interested students will receive an initial comprehensive assessment to determine if CO-STAR’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is appropriate.

Postvention and Crisis Response Services

Advance planning can reduce the impact of an in-school tragedy.

STAR-Center outreach staff consults with educators on providing postvention services, and recommends that school districts — working closely with their communities — prepare for tragedies by developing policies and procedures that may be activated on very short notice.

Our staff is available to any district or agency, 24 hours a day, by calling 412-864-3346.

See how STAR-Center can help your school develop postvention and crisis response strategies.