MHPS Knowledge Assessment

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1. What is NOT a primary focus of the Consumer/Survivor/Ex-Patient (C/S/X) movement?
2. Self-determination in mental health care could look like:
3. What is a form of coercion that peer specialists may inadvertently do when they are supporting someone?
4. You are supporting Krystal, who wants to get her driver’s license so that she can have more freedom and find a better job than the one she currently has. But Krystal is feeling very overwhelmed because she has never driven a car before and has no idea where to start. You support Krystal by holding space for her and validating her feelings. You ask Krystal whether she would like to talk more about the feelings coming up for her, look at things that could help her take the first step, or something different altogether. She tells you that she wants to look at things that could help her take the first step, and she decides that it would feel helpful for you to fill out the application with her and go with her to submit it at the driver’s license office. You support her and celebrate each step that she takes along the way, offering a sounding board for her as she starts to practice and build confidence. Krystal calls you incredibly excited one day and lets you know that she passed her driving test! What phrase best summarizes your process of supporting Krystal?
5. What concept helps peer specialists push back against paternalism by centering a person’s knowledge and choice before they make a decision?
6. You are meeting with Ayesha, who you recently started supporting. Ayesha tells you that her dream is to be a trapeze artist in Cirque du Soleil. What is a question that you could ask Ayesha to help her continue dreaming?
7. What are the three components of effective boundaries?
8. You are in a meeting with a person that you support, Remi. Recently, Remi went to court to try and regain custody of his children after losing custody because he had checked himself into a psychiatric hospital multiple times, with the last hospitalization ending about a year ago. The judge did not grant custody back to Remi, but the judge did allow for more visitation opportunities between Remi and his children. In your meeting, Remi is feeling sad, angry, and defeated because he misses his children and feels like the judge is not taking into account how much better Remi is feeling and how good of a father he is. Remi’s feelings and story really resonate with you because you also navigated hospitalizations and custody issues early in your recovery journey. You ask Remi if you could share a piece of your own story, and he consents. What would be a good snippet that builds power within?
9. What is one way that you can cultivate shared power (power with) when facilitating a peer support group?
10. You are working with Prue, a person receiving services at the mental health clinic where you work. Prue has had complex physical health issues that require her to go to the doctor frequently, but she often leaves her doctor’s appointments feeling unheard and dismissed. During a meeting with Prue after a recent doctor’s appointment, she becomes very upset and starts yelling and crying loudly about how she feels completely disregarded in her care. You remember that Prue once told you that a doctor had called her “certifiable” to a nurse in earshot when she went to an emergency room for help while she was having a mental health crisis after the loss of her father. How can you support Prue in this moment?
11. Which of the following is NOT a question that you could ask a person to support them in preparing to advocate for themselves?
12. You have been meeting with Carlos for a few weeks to provide peer support. You have noticed that Carlos always refers to himself as a “schizophrenic.” You have not talked to Carlos before about why he uses that term to describe himself. How could you approach this conversation with Carlos?
13. A Mental Health Peer Specialist is providing support to Zeb one day, when he tells the MHPS that he is planning to taper off of his meds without telling his doctor. The MHPS says, “I support whatever you choose to do, Zeb, but remember that you became very manic the last time you were non-compliant with your medication regimen.” Then, the MHPS talked with Zeb about what it would look like for Zeb to stop taking his medications, asked Zeb what he felt would be helpful for support from the MHPS, and explored how Zeb can support himself in the process. What did the MHPS do or say that conflicted with their role as a peer specialist?
14. Which part of the ethical decisionmaking triangle should be the place where peer specialists begin and end their process to decide how to approach a situation?
15. What can you ask yourself to help identify whether you may be acting outside of your role as a peer specialist?
16. What is an anecdote or illustration of lived experience that peer specialists often use conversationally to support a person served?
17. What is a basic way that peer specialists can attend to their wellness at work?
18. Which is NOT required documentation under the Peer Services code for billing Medicaid?
19. You are meeting with Berhanu, who was recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Berhanu has dealt with mental health challenges for many years, including multiple hospitalizations. In a previous meeting, Berhanu told you that multiple staff at the hospital told him that he would never hold a job and will spend the rest of his life going in and out of the hospital. You ask Berhanu what he would do for work if he could do anything he wanted. He tells you that he probably won’t ever be able to work. When you ask him what his favorite things to do are, he just shrugs and says that doesn’t matter. What concept best characterizes Berhanu’s mindset and actions?
20. You are an MHPS who facilitates a weekly peer support group. Cari has been coming to this group for a few months, but lately you notice that she seems a little bored during the group. You check in with Cari about what is going on, and she lets you know that she feels like the topics lately have not been interesting to her. You thank Cari for her honesty and then you ask Cari if she would like to co-facilitate the next group with you on a topic that she is excited to explore. What type of power are you focusing on?