Which aspect is important for CPSWs to maintain their effectiveness?

Practicing self-care to maintain one's own recovery is essential for Certified Peer Support Workers (CPSWs) because it directly impacts their ability to effectively support others. CPSWs draw from their personal experiences and journeys in recovery, and if they neglect their own self-care or recovery needs, they could become overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally drained. This not only diminishes their effectiveness as support workers but could also hinder their own well-being.

When CPSWs prioritize self-care, they model healthy behavior for those they support and demonstrate the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Furthermore, a CPSW who actively engages in their recovery can offer more empathetic and informed support, as their personal experiences allow them to relate to and understand the struggles faced by those they assist.

The other aspects mentioned, such as focusing only on others' problems, limiting recovery education, or neglecting personal experiences, would undermine the foundational principles of peer support. They could lead to a disconnection from one's own recovery journey, which is critical for authentic peer support work.