Description of an early intervention to prevent substance abuse and psychopathology in recent rape victims.

Resnick et al. (2005) outline a brand-new program for women who have just been raped. The team meets the woman during the hospital rape-exam visit. Right there, they start a short mental-health intervention.

The goal is to stop later substance abuse and other mental-health problems. The paper only describes the plan; no results are given yet.

The paper is a trial plan, not a finished study. No numbers are reported. The authors simply show how the program will run.

Falligant et al. (2022) looked back at 29 out-patient cases and found that severe problem behavior usually returns. They urge teams to build 'renewal and resurgence' safeguards. Heidi's plan tries to do just that—start help before relapse can happen.

Faught et al. (2021) tested a drug-use prevention program in youth with mild ID. Their 'Take it Personal!' plan cut rule-breaking but did not touch anxiety or withdrawal. Heidi's rape protocol also aims to prevent drug use, yet it adds mental-health pieces for anxiety and PTSD that 'Take it Personal!' left out.

Reid et al. (2017) showed that a home-based parent-training program is feasible for kids with FASD. Both studies are early-phase: they test if the plan can be carried out, not if it works. Together they signal that brief, reach-them-where-they-are programs are practical to launch.

If you work in a hospital or crisis center, you can copy this reach-in-the-exam-room idea. Hand the client a short session right after the medical exam. Cover coping skills and link to free counseling. One extra hour may cut later drug use and PTSD. No extra referral trip is needed—the client is already in front of you.