Empowering Support: Dr. Heather Littleton Secures $1.2M Grant to Advance PTSD Prevention for Sexual Minority Survivors

Dr. Heather Littleton, Director of Research Operations at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience and Professor of Psychology, has been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Her research will adapt and evaluate a promising PTSD prevention program called Community Enhancement and Recovery (CARE), focused on sexual minority individuals who have recently experienced bias-motivated violence or hate crimes.

What makes CARE innovative is its community-centered approach. Rather than focusing solely on the survivor, the program trains a trusted support person—such as a friend, partner, or family member—on how to provide trauma-informed care and emotional support during recovery. Earlier research led by Institute affiliate Dr. Emily Dworkin found that CARE reduced PTSD and depression symptoms among sexual violence survivors.

With this new funding, Dr. Littleton and her team will tailor CARE to meet the unique needs of sexual minority communities, explore how the intervention works through daily surveys, and measure its long-term impact on posttraumatic stress. This work represents a powerful step toward inclusive, evidence-based mental health care that recognizes the vital role of social connection in healing.

To learn more about the Research division at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, you can visit the Research landing page here.