faq

Frequently Asked Questions


General Information

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.
  • Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Location: 100% Virtual (Online Only)
  • Mental Health Exhibit Opens: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
  • Main Platform Time: 9:45 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
No. The event is come and go as you please, but you must pre-register to gain access.
  1. Visit the Scars to STARs Day registration homepage. (scarstostars.org)
  2. Click on the Virtual Meeting in the Events section.
  3. Complete the registration form.
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.

Featured Speakers

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.
All speakers will be presenting live.

Event Platform & Technology

Scars to STARs Day will be hosted on VFairs, an innovative virtual event platform. Participants will:
  • Start in the virtual lobby and navigate different areas.
  • Enter a virtual auditorium for main events.
  • Click on the Main Stage screen to join live sessions via Zoom.
  • Visit the Mental Health Resource Expo to explore support organizations.
No. You only need to register for the event. No additional software installation is required.
No. You only need to register for the event. No additional software installation is required.
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.
After registering, you will receive an email with login credentials and a link to access the event.
Prior to the event, all registered participants will receive a reminder email with detailed login instructions for each session.
No. Each attendee must register individually to ensure an accurate count of participants.
Yes! A chat or Q&A function will be available for you to type your questions. The online audience will be muted and unable to ask questions live.

Accessibility for Virtual Registration & Event Experience

Yes! We have designed our registration process to be fully accessible, supporting:
✔ Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
✔ Keyboard navigation
✔ Adjustable text sizes
✔ Screen reader compatibility
✔ Adjustable text size & contrast
✔ Alt text on images for better navigation
✔ Live captions & ASL interpretation for key sessions
✔ Transcripts of major presentations available post-event
✔ Chat-based Q&A sessions for non-verbal participation
✔ Simplified registration instructions
✔ Step-by-step guidance videos
✔ Dedicated support teams for assistance

Attire for the Virtual Meeting

Business casual for networking discussions
✔ Comfortable attire for general attendance
✔ Optional: Wear blue & gold to support the Scars to STARs movement
Not necessarily! A professional top with comfortable bottoms is acceptable.
Yes! We encourage attendees to wear clothing that reflects the culture, advocacy, or survivor journey.

Health & Safety at the Virtual Meeting

✔ 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
✔ Stay hydrated & take breaks
✔ Engage in breathwork and mindfulness exercises
✔ Create a comfortable space to participate

Electronic Badges for Virtual Attendees

Digital name tags that appear on your virtual profile for networking & discussions.
No! You can choose:
✔ First name only
✔ First name + last initial
✔ A chosen alias (e.g., StayGoldAdvocate)
✔ Choose your display name during registration
✔ Edit it at any time in your attendee portal
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
✔ Reports can be made confidentially to the event support team
✔ Violations may result in removal from the event

Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities

Gain visibility among global mental health advocates
Align with a meaningful cause
Engage with a dedicated audience

Other Questions

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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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