Scars to STARS Day is a global virtual event dedicated to resilience, healing, and transformation for those who have experienced trauma. Through powerful survivor stories, expert presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and the Scars to STARS Expo, attendees will gain insights, resources, and connections to support their journey. This safe, empowering space fosters growth, community, and hope—because every scar has a story, and every story has the power to shine. Register now to turn challenges into strength and scars into stars.
Yes, registration is required to access the platform. There is no deadline to register, but early registration is recommended to ensure a smooth login process.
Patrick J. Kennedy II is a former U.S. Congressman and a prominent mental health advocate. As the co-founder of The Kennedy Forum and a key driver behind the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, he has dedicated his career to advancing policies that support mental health and addiction recovery. Patrick’s personal experiences and advocacy work have made him a leading voice in breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Richard Grannon – International Ambassador STAR Network™, Author, A Cult of One. Richard is a renowned expert on narcissistic abuse recovery and psychological resilience. Jamie Huysman, PsyD. LCSW – Founder & Executive Director, STAR Network™. Dr. Jamie is a leading advocate for caregiver support, mental health, and trauma-informed care. Jen Libby, MSW, LCSW– CEO & Founder, Promly. Jen is a trailblazer in youth mental health advocacy, leveraging technology to connect and empower young people. Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC – Mental Health Executive-in-Residence, SHRM. Marjorie is a visionary leader in workplace mental health and behavioral health innovation.
Richard Grannon – International Ambassador STAR Network™, Author, A Cult of One. Richard is a renowned expert on narcissistic abuse recovery and psychological resilience. Jamie Huysman, PsyD. LCSW – Founder & Executive Director, STAR Network™. Dr. Jamie is a leading advocate for caregiver support, mental health, and trauma-informed care. Jen Libby, MSW, LCSW– CEO & Founder, Promly. Jen is a trailblazer in youth mental health advocacy, leveraging technology to connect and empower young people. Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC – Mental Health Executive-in-Residence, SHRM. Marjorie is a visionary leader in workplace mental health and behavioral health innovation.
Access to the event platform will be available starting 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, May 16, 2025where the Mental Health Expo will open up. The main platform meeting will start at 9:45 AM.
Yes! We have designed our registration process to be fully accessible, supporting: ✔ Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver) ✔ Keyboard navigation ✔ Adjustable text sizes
✔ Live captions & ASL interpretation for key sessions ✔ Transcripts of major presentations available post-event ✔ Chat-based Q&A sessions for non-verbal participation
✔ Business casual for networking discussions ✔ Comfortable attire for general attendance ✔ Optional: Wear blue & gold to support the Scars to STARs movement
✔ Take breaks when needed ✔ Content warnings will be provided before sensitive discussions ✔ Private support rooms will be made available for processing emotions
✔ Secure virtual platform with strict security protocols ✔ Moderated chat & discussions to maintain a safe space ✔ Anonymous participation options available
As a participant, you agree to: ✔ Prioritize well-being of survivors & fellow attendees ✔ Respect confidentiality & privacy of shared stories ✔ Conduct yourself with integrity & respect ✔ Promote ethical engagement and responsible advocacy
Imagine Zoom is like a big digital room where we all meet, kind of like a virtual classroom or clubhouse. Now, let me show you some magic buttons you’ll need:
Mute Button (The Quiet Button)– Look at the bottom left corner of your Zoom screen. You’ll see a little microphone icon. If you tap or click it, it mutes (makes you silent so no one can hear you). If you tap it again, it turns your sound back on.
Chat Button (The Talking with Words Button)– Look at the bottom of the screen, near the middle. There’s a button that says "Chat". If you click it, a little box pops up where you can type messages to everyone in the meeting. It’s like passing notes but on the screen!
Reaction Emoji Button (The Fun Button)– Find the button called "Reactions", usually at the bottom near the right. Click it, and you’ll see fun emojis like a thumbs-up ????, clapping hands ????, or even a heart ????. You can click these to show how you feel without talking!
That’s it! Just three buttons: ✅ Mute to be quiet or talk Chat to type messages ???? Reactions to send fun emojis