What principle guides Certified Peer Specialists in their interactions with peers regarding confidentiality?

The principle that guides Certified Peer Specialists in their interactions with peers regarding confidentiality emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality while also recognizing certain critical limits. It is essential for peers to understand that their safety and the safety of others are paramount. If a peer poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others, Peer Specialists are obligated to breach confidentiality to ensure safety and to provide necessary support or intervention.

This principle serves as a protective measure, balancing the ongoing need for trust and confidentiality in the peer support relationship with the ethical responsibility to act when lives may be at stake. It is crucial for peers to receive clear information about the limits of confidentiality, particularly in situations involving imminent danger. By doing this, Certified Peer Specialists can create a safe environment while fulfilling their duty of care to both individuals and the larger community.