CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Exam with Q and A

CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Exam with Q and A A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they have a lot of situational stress that is not a result of their diagnosis. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take in supporting the consumer? A. Tell the consumer their feelings are normal, and they should not worry. B. Assist the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their concerns. C. Advise the consumer of stronger anxiety medication options to try. D. Take the consumer to a 12-step meeting to support their overall wellness. ANSWER Answer: B Rationale: Sharing a list of organizations differentiates itself from the distractors because it is the only one that speaks to the harm reduction approach. The peer has expressed their reluctance to quit and the belief that they must give up their use is holding them back from other healthy treatments. As SAMHSA explains, supplies of clean needles and syringes are a component of harm reduction, which can keep the consumer safe until they are ready to commit to abstinence and shows that their work with the Peer Support Specialist does not require complete sobriety. A consumer has chosen to put off mental health care until they are ready to give up their intravenous substance use. How can the Peer Support Specialist respond in a way that promotes harm reduction? A. Encourage the consumer to attend support groups for complete abstinence from substances. B. Share a list of organizations that provide clean needles and syringes to individuals who use substances.