Which practice should be avoided when helping a consumer create a safety plan?

• A. Imposing personal biases.
• B. Empowering the consumer to contribute ideas.
• C. Using simple, safe strategies.
• D. Collaborating with the consumer.

Answer: (A)

Safety planning should center the person’s voice, preferences, and strengths. Imposing personal biases undermines autonomy, trust, and the person’s sense of control, leading to a plan that doesn’t fit their daily life or what they’re actually willing to use. In a peer-supported process, the goal is to empower the consumer, invite their ideas, and build the plan through collaboration. Using simple, safe strategies and working together with the consumer ensures the plan is practical, understandable, and more likely to be followed. By keeping the consumer’s needs at the forefront and checking assumptions, you create a safety plan that supports recovery and safety in a respectful, person-first way.