PSS Crisis Intervention and De-escalation 2

Question 1

A peer specialist arrives to support someone in crisis who is pacing rapidly and shouting. What is the FIRST priority?

Accepted Answer

Ensure safety for both the person and yourself

Answer

Safety assessment for both the peer specialist and the individual is always the first priority before any intervention.

Question 2

Which communication technique is MOST effective when a person in crisis is speaking very rapidly and in a disorganized way?

Accepted Answer

Use slow, calm, and simple language

Answer

Using slow, calm, and simple language helps regulate the person's nervous system and models the communication pace you want them to adopt.

Question 3

A peer specialist notices a person in crisis is becoming increasingly agitated after being told 'no' by a staff member. What is the best next step?

Accepted Answer

Explore what the person heard and validate their frustration

Answer

Exploring what the person heard and validating their frustration helps de-escalate by showing the person they are understood.

Question 4

In a peer support context, 'trauma-informed crisis response' means:

Accepted Answer

Recognizing that current distress may be rooted in past trauma and responding with sensitivity

Answer

Trauma-informed crisis response means understanding that behaviors during a crisis are often survival responses tied to past trauma.

Question 5

When using the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, the peer specialist's primary role is to:

Accepted Answer

Support the clinician and maintain connection with the individual

Answer

Peer specialists support clinicians and maintain human connection with the individual; clinical assessments are performed by licensed professionals.

(PSS) Certified Peer Support Specialist Practice Test