Peer Support Specialist Exam Study Guide
What is the primary role of a Peer To inspire hope and empower others to take charge of
Support Specialist? their own recovery journey.
What type of individuals do Peer Individuals with lived experience of mental health
Support Specialists typically assist? challenges, substance abuse issues, and/or emotional
trauma.
What is NOT a role of a Peer Support To be a clinician, therapist, or chaplain, diagnose
Specialist? symptoms, or serve as a vocational rehabilitation.
What is the foundation of recovery Hope.
according to the notes?
What does recovery involve according A transformative journey where individuals elevate their
to the Peer Support Specialist role? health, embrace wellness, and aspire to realize their
fullest potential.
What are some strategies a Peer Finding strategies to develop hope, helping peers
Support Specialist can use to foster identify values, cultivating purpose and direction in life,
hope? and using positive affirmations.
What are the five major dimensions that 1. Overcoming or managing one's disease or
support recovery? symptoms; 2. Making informed healthy choices; 3.
Having a stable and safe place; 4. Discovering your
purpose through meaningful daily activities; 5. Building
community through relationships and social networks.
Why is it important to consider Because individuals have distinct needs, strengths,
individual needs in recovery? preferences, goals, culture, and upbringing that must
be considered in maintaining successful recovery and
treatment plans.
What is empathy as defined in the The ability to show compassion and understanding
notes? towards another individual.
How is sympathy different from Sympathy involves acknowledging someone in distress
empathy? while feeling pity for them, whereas empathy is about
understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
, Peer Support Specialist Exam Study Guide
What are some common types of Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobia,
mental health issues? Schizophrenia, Antisocial personality disorder,
Borderline personality disorder, Bi-Polar 1 and 2.
What underlying causes may contribute Changes in brain composition, genetic vulnerabilities,
to mental health problems? exposure to early stress and trauma.
What are some behavioral changes Drop in attendance and performance at work or school,
associated with substance use frequent trouble with fights, accidents, illegal activities,
disorders? engagement in secretive behavior.
What are some symptoms of substance Change in appetite or sleep patterns, unexplained
use disorders? change in personality or attitude, sudden mood swings,
irritability, lack of motivation, acting anxious or agitated.
How can mental health and substance Mental health issues and substance abuse may occur
abuse be related? concurrently, with illegal drug use potentially causing
symptoms of mental health problems.
What is trauma-informed care? Trauma-informed care recognizes that trauma is an
event or circumstance that causes physical or
emotional harm with lasting adverse effects on well-
being.
What is the impact of childhood trauma Individuals who experience trauma during childhood or
on substance abuse risk? adolescence are at a higher risk of substance abuse.
What are Adverse Childhood ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in
Experiences (ACEs)? childhood (0-17 years) that can undermine a child's
sense of safety, stability, and bonding.
How much more likely are individuals They are seven times more likely to misuse alcohol.
with four or more ACEs to misuse
alcohol?
, Peer Support Specialist Exam Study Guide
What role does advocacy play in mental Advocacy helps shatter stereotypes and stigma
health and substance use disorders? associated with mental illness and substance use
disorders, and involves speaking up for oneself and
others.
What is required to be an advocate for An advocate must be at least 18 years old and
mental health and substance use someone who is trusted to make decisions.
disorders?
What are some signs of substance use Periods of heightened agitation or giddiness,
problems? withdrawing or feeling isolated, showing rage or
seeking revenge.
What is a common outcome of mental Individuals may engage in self-medication through
health issues leading to substance use? alcohol or drug use.
What is the significance of sharing Sharing stories can help individuals feel vulnerable and
personal stories in recovery? support their recovery and healing journey.
What are some indicators of extreme Sudden mood swings, irritability, and display of extreme
mood swings in substance use mood swings.
disorders?
What is the relationship between Substance use can lead to unexplained changes in
substance use and personality personality or attitude.
changes?
What is a potential consequence of Individuals may experience sleeping too little or too
substance use on sleep patterns? much.
What is the importance of Understanding trauma is crucial for providing effective
understanding trauma in mental health mental health care and support.
care?
What are some examples of ACEs? Examples of ACEs include violence, neglect, and
household dysfunction.
What is the primary role of a Peer To inspire hope and empower others to take charge of
Support Specialist? their own recovery journey.
What type of individuals do Peer Individuals with lived experience of mental health
Support Specialists typically assist? challenges, substance abuse issues, and/or emotional
trauma.
What is NOT a role of a Peer Support To be a clinician, therapist, or chaplain, diagnose
Specialist? symptoms, or serve as a vocational rehabilitation.
What is the foundation of recovery Hope.
according to the notes?
What does recovery involve according A transformative journey where individuals elevate their
to the Peer Support Specialist role? health, embrace wellness, and aspire to realize their
fullest potential.
What are some strategies a Peer Finding strategies to develop hope, helping peers
Support Specialist can use to foster identify values, cultivating purpose and direction in life,
hope? and using positive affirmations.
What are the five major dimensions that 1. Overcoming or managing one's disease or
support recovery? symptoms; 2. Making informed healthy choices; 3.
Having a stable and safe place; 4. Discovering your
purpose through meaningful daily activities; 5. Building
community through relationships and social networks.
Why is it important to consider Because individuals have distinct needs, strengths,
individual needs in recovery? preferences, goals, culture, and upbringing that must
be considered in maintaining successful recovery and
treatment plans.
What is empathy as defined in the The ability to show compassion and understanding
notes? towards another individual.
How is sympathy different from Sympathy involves acknowledging someone in distress
empathy? while feeling pity for them, whereas empathy is about
understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
, Peer Support Specialist Exam Study Guide
What are some common types of Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobia,
mental health issues? Schizophrenia, Antisocial personality disorder,
Borderline personality disorder, Bi-Polar 1 and 2.
What underlying causes may contribute Changes in brain composition, genetic vulnerabilities,
to mental health problems? exposure to early stress and trauma.
What are some behavioral changes Drop in attendance and performance at work or school,
associated with substance use frequent trouble with fights, accidents, illegal activities,
disorders? engagement in secretive behavior.
What are some symptoms of substance Change in appetite or sleep patterns, unexplained
use disorders? change in personality or attitude, sudden mood swings,
irritability, lack of motivation, acting anxious or agitated.
How can mental health and substance Mental health issues and substance abuse may occur
abuse be related? concurrently, with illegal drug use potentially causing
symptoms of mental health problems.
What is trauma-informed care? Trauma-informed care recognizes that trauma is an
event or circumstance that causes physical or
emotional harm with lasting adverse effects on well-
being.
What is the impact of childhood trauma Individuals who experience trauma during childhood or
on substance abuse risk? adolescence are at a higher risk of substance abuse.
What are Adverse Childhood ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in
Experiences (ACEs)? childhood (0-17 years) that can undermine a child's
sense of safety, stability, and bonding.
How much more likely are individuals They are seven times more likely to misuse alcohol.
with four or more ACEs to misuse
alcohol?
, Peer Support Specialist Exam Study Guide
What role does advocacy play in mental Advocacy helps shatter stereotypes and stigma
health and substance use disorders? associated with mental illness and substance use
disorders, and involves speaking up for oneself and
others.
What is required to be an advocate for An advocate must be at least 18 years old and
mental health and substance use someone who is trusted to make decisions.
disorders?
What are some signs of substance use Periods of heightened agitation or giddiness,
problems? withdrawing or feeling isolated, showing rage or
seeking revenge.
What is a common outcome of mental Individuals may engage in self-medication through
health issues leading to substance use? alcohol or drug use.
What is the significance of sharing Sharing stories can help individuals feel vulnerable and
personal stories in recovery? support their recovery and healing journey.
What are some indicators of extreme Sudden mood swings, irritability, and display of extreme
mood swings in substance use mood swings.
disorders?
What is the relationship between Substance use can lead to unexplained changes in
substance use and personality personality or attitude.
changes?
What is a potential consequence of Individuals may experience sleeping too little or too
substance use on sleep patterns? much.
What is the importance of Understanding trauma is crucial for providing effective
understanding trauma in mental health mental health care and support.
care?
What are some examples of ACEs? Examples of ACEs include violence, neglect, and
household dysfunction.
