Which statement best reflects the approach to safety planning in peer support?

• A. The plan is dictated by the agency.
• B. The consumer should be central and the plan should be collaborative.
• C. The plan should be made by the clinician alone.
• D. The plan is optional.

Answer: (B)

Safety planning in peer support works best when the consumer is at the center and the plan is built collaboratively with them. This approach reflects the values of empowerment and respect for autonomy, recognizing that the person knows their own needs, strengths, and supports best. By involving the consumer in identifying warning signs, coping strategies, trusted for support, and concrete steps to seek help, the plan becomes realistic, usable, and more likely to be followed in a crisis. A collaborative, consumer-led plan is also flexible and culturally sensitive, and it can be updated as circumstances change. When safety planning is imposed by an agency or created by a clinician alone, it can feel disempowering and less meaningful to the person, reducing engagement and effectiveness.