Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

One major role of peer support is to:

1. Provide financial assistance to clients

2. Relieve isolation

3. Diagnose mental health conditions

4. Offer therapy sessions

The correct answer is: Relieve isolation

Relieving isolation is a significant role of peer support because individuals often feel a sense of loneliness and disconnection from others due to their experiences with mental health issues or substance use disorders. Peer support specialists share their own lived experiences with recovery, which creates a safe environment where clients can share their feelings and challenges. This shared understanding fosters a sense of belonging and community, helping individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles. The first choice, which involves providing financial assistance, is not a primary function of peer support. Peer support focuses on emotional and social support rather than financial help. Diagnosing mental health conditions is the responsibility of trained professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, not peer support specialists, who do not have the authority or training to make clinical diagnoses. Similarly, offering therapy sessions is outside the scope of peer support's role; therapy typically requires specialized training and credentials that peer support specialists do not possess. Instead, peer support emphasizes connecting with others and providing mutual support based on shared experiences.