Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

What action should a Peer Support Specialist take if a consumer wants to attend a rally but has anxiety?

1. Advise them to stay home

2. Participate in the activity as requested

3. Suggest alternative activities

4. Encourage them to face their fears alone

The correct answer is: Participate in the activity as requested

Participating in the activity as requested aligns with the principles of peer support, particularly the focus on empowerment and choice. By actively engaging with the consumer's desire to attend the rally, the Peer Support Specialist demonstrates support and validates the consumer's interests. This approach encourages the individual to face their anxiety in a supportive environment while fostering a sense of community and belonging. It's essential to recognize that peer support is about meeting individuals where they are and helping them navigate their challenges. By joining them in this experience, the Peer Support Specialist can provide reassurance and practical support, making it more manageable for the consumer to confront their anxiety in a real-world setting. In contrast, advising the consumer to stay home would dismiss their feelings and reduce their autonomy. Suggesting alternative activities might also undermine the consumer's agency by steering them away from an experience they find meaningful. Encouraging them to face their fears alone lacks the supportive aspect that peer support emphasizes, which thrives on connection and mutual assistance. Supporting the consumer's choice to attend the rally creates an opportunity for growth within a supportive framework.