#STAR menu/App Features Video Tutorial Script {#sec-video_tutorial_star_menu}

(The purpose of this video tutorial is to walk participants through how to use the Task Tracker and the various app features/resources that are available in the STAR app)

Script

Menu
This video will walk you through various features and resources in the STAR app. Although you are not required to use them, these features and resources were selected to be helpful to people in recovery.

Task Tracker

First, at the top of the home screen, you’ll find the daily task progress bar labeled “Today’s Progress”. The bar shows the progress you have made on your tasks each day. The bar turns green when you complete all your tasks.

If you tap on the task progress bar, you’ll be able to see more information, including a list of the tasks to complete that day and a calendar that shows your past task completion. When you complete all the tasks, you will see a green star on the calendar for that day. When you complete some of the tasks you will see a yellow star.

At the bottom of the page, you will find tips for earning maximum bonuses

Profile

To access the menu, tap the three lines at the top right-hand corner. The menu buttons take you to different parts of the app.

The top button on the menu is to your profile. You can choose what shows in your profile by tapping your screen name.

To fill out your profile information, tap the “Edit Profile” button. In these boxes, you can describe your interests. Other members will be able to see your profile, so you should not put personal or identifying information in your profile like your name or where you work. When you are done tap the “Save” button. and then confirm if you are ready to save.

To add an image to your profile, tap the “Update Profile Icon” button. Tap an image to make it your profile icon. Tap “Load More” to see more images. When you have selected an icon, tap “Save Profile Icon” and then confirm if you are ready to save.

To change your password, tap the “Change Password” button. You will need to enter your current password on the top line. Then enter your new password on the two lines below. All passwords must have at least 8 characters. When you are ready to save your new password tap the “Save” button and then confirm if you are ready to save.

Members

The next button in the menu is to the “Members” page where you can view other members’ profiles. To view someone’s profile, tap their username.

Settings

The next menu button is to “Settings”. Here you can adjust how STAR works and personalize STAR to help your recovery.

You can also add “High Risk Locations.” For places that you think may be harmful to your recovery. To add a high-risk location, tap the “High Risk Location” button. Then tap the orange circle with a plus sign. Type in the name or address of the location you wish to add in the search bar at the top of the screen. Once the location appears of the map, tap the save button. Then, enter a name for the location, and tap the save button. Adding a high-risk location sets up an alert from STAR that will go off when you are in the location. To return to settings, tap the back arrow at the top left corner.

Adding contacts and high-risk locations are app features for your recovery and do not affect your bonuses or participation status in STAR

In settings you can set, change, or delete a lock screen pin for the app. If you add create a PIN, you will need to type in that PIN when you open STAR after it has been closed for several minutes. A pin will keep the information you add to STAR private. We want you to set a pin for STAR because we ask you to report personal and sensitive information in STAR.

To set a pin tap “Lock Screen Settings” and then “Setup”. To change an existing PIN, tap “Reset your PIN”. Using the number pad, tap out a four-digit number, then tap “Enter”. Follow the instructions to confirm your new PIN by retyping the same four-digit number and tapping “Enter”.

If you forget your PIN and cannot access STAR, tap the “Logout” button in the top right corner. You will be logged out of the app, which will reset your PIN. Then, log back. You will be able to access STAR and you can set up a new pin. Be sure to log back into STAR because when you are logged out you are not sharing data which can affect your bonuses and participation.

In settings you can also control notifications. You will always get task notifications within STAR, and you can choose to get notifications outside of STAR. To set your notification preferences, tap the “Notification Settings” button. Here you can turn different notifications on or off by tapping the check box next to the notification. To receive all notifications, you should check all the boxes. To receive no notifications, you should uncheck all the boxes. Turning off your Notification settings will not affect your participation; however, you may find that having them turned on is helpful for remembering to complete the tasks. When you are done customizing your notification settings, tap the “Save” button.

In the settings menu you can see and change what data you are sharing with the research team by tapping the “Research Study Settings” button. [We will need to add the information about battery settings later here.] First you will see information about the data you are sharing. . To stop sharing your phone logs, SMS logs and content, or location, tap the “Change Settings” button. Changing these settings will affect your bonuses and can affect your future participation in STAR.

If you tap “Change Settings” you will see a message warning you that turning off GPS and Phone/SMS data sharing will reduce your next bonus by up to $15 and asking you if would like to continue.

If you tap “Yes” you will be directed to your phone’s settings where you can change the app permissions.

Home

The next button in the Menu is the “Home” button which will take you to the STAR homepage when tapped.

Daily Update, Video Check-In, Monthly Update

The Menu also has buttons for each of the tasks: the daily update, the daily video check-in, and the monthly update.

Peer Support

The next button in the Menu is “Peer Support”. You can interact with other members on the STAR app by tapping the “Peer Support” button in the main menu or on the Home screen. Peer support lets you give and get support through STAR discussion boards and communicate with staff via direct messages.

Discussion Boards

To access the discussion boards, tap the “Discussions” button. At the top of the page, you will see three additional buttons: “All”, “Threads”, and “Mine”.

If you tap “All”, You will be able to see all of the messages STAR members have posted to the discussion board.

You can create a new discussion post by tapping the orange circle with a white plus at the bottom right-hand corner. If you want to create a title for your message, type it in the text box under “Title”. Then, type your message into the “Message” box.

When you are ready to post your message, tap the “Send Message” button at the bottom of the page and confirm if you are ready to send your message.

Some people find peer support helpful, but you do not need to participate in the discussions.

When using the discussion boards, follow the app guidelines for posting, which are listed in Study Information.

The discussion boards are for talking to other members. If you need to talk to study staff, you can send us a direct message or email or call us.

To see threads, tap “Threads” you will be able to view threads of comments that you have participated in.

If you tap “Mine” at the top of the page. You will be able to see all of the posts and comments you have made to the discussion boards.

Direct Messages

The STAR team will use direct messages to communicate important information about your participation, about the compensation and bonuses you receive each month, and about any issues you may have related to task completion or data sharing.

To view and respond to private messages with the STAR team, tap “Direct Messages”. To send or respond to a direct message from the STAR team, tap the orange circle with a white plus at the bottom right-hand corner.

You will then be able to select the ‘STAR Help’ account, Then, simply tap the orange circle at the bottom right corner.

The STAR team will not see your messages right away. So, do not use the Direct Message feature if you need to get in touch with the STAR team quickly. Instead, call or text the STAR Study Phone.

Study staff are researchers and not counselors. If you need to talk to a counselor or doctor urgently, contact your regular treatment provider or another trained mental health care provider. You may send direct messages to staff with questions, comments, or concerns about the STAR study at any time. However, all Direct Messages to staff should be on topic and professional in tone.

Recovery Resources

Next in the menu is “Recovery resources”. These are tools, books, games, and other media designed to help your recovery.

When you tap a linked resource in recovery resources, STAR will open a web browser or relevant app on your phone, depending on the link and your phone.

If you want to share your thoughts about a recovery resource, type a comment in the box titled “Send a Comment”. When you are done tap “Send Comment” and confirm that you are ready to send your comment.

In “Guided Relaxation” you will find a list of helpful guided meditations that may help you with things like sleep, mindfulness, stress, and managing difficult emotions.

There are several different types of media: there are games and audio podcasts. In “Videos” there are TED Talks and other web series. In “Articles” there are columns, worksheets, and book recommendations.

We have also designed resources that research suggests can be helpful to recovery.

Resources near you

In Resources Near You, you will find a links to several organizations that can help you find resources in your community using your zip code or city and state.

Personalized Resources

in “My Motivations” you can create a list of reasons why you want to stay well and watch your list grow as you continue your path to recovery. To add a motivation, tap the orange circle with a white plus at the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Type your motivation into the text box provided. You can upload a picture that reminds you of your motivation by tapping the Upload image underneath the text box. When you are ready to save your motivation, tap the “Save” button.

In “My Gratitude”, you can add things that you are thankful for, making you more aware of their presence every day as you strive to complete daily tasks and goals.

In “My Favorites” you can find a list of your saved items. For example, you can save your most used or useful articles, books, videos, etc. so you may come back and visit them more easily when you need them most. To save something to your favorites, tap the bookmark icon to the right of the title of whichever resource you find most helpful.

Coping with cravings

The next button in the menu is “Coping with Cravings”. In “Coping with Cravings” you will find a short list of activities/tasks that you may find helpful if you feel an urge to use drugs or alcohol. Many of the suggested activities here are links. For example, if you click on “play a game” a game will open. If you click “call a trusted friend or family member” your added contacts from the settings page will open.

Study Information

The last button in the menu is “Study Information”. In “Study Information”, you can find STAR App Guidelines, How-Tos, Privacy Policy/Informed Consent information, links to the study website, Study Staff contact information.

If you tap on “Guidelines”, you’ll find a detailed overview of the guidelines for using the STAR app.

In “How-to”, you will find a link to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the STAR Study website. How-to is the go-to destination for finding answers to specific questions about the STAR App and your participation in the study

In “Privacy Policy/Informed consent”, you’ll find information on the STAR apps Privacy Policy as well as a summarized version of the Informed Consent form you were given when you joined the study. If you would like another copy of the full informed consent form at any time during your participation, please reach out to study staff.

The study website link will redirect you to the STAR study homepage. On the STAR study website, you will be able to access Frequently Asked Questions, revisit these Video Tutorials, and find Study Staff contact information.

If you experience any technical support issues while using the STAR App, please reach out to us by emailing the STAR team. You can expect to get a response within 1-2 business days.

Current App Version lists the current version of the app and will indicate when you are not using the current version. Tap this button to install the latest version of the app.

Log out

To log out of the app, open the menu and tap “Logout”. Staying logged into your account is an important part of your participation in this study, so you will be asked if you are sure you want to log out and reminded that logging out will reduce your next bonus by $15. To log out, tap Yes.

Version

At the bottom of the menu, you will find the Version of the app you currently have installed.