Chrissy Schayer
CPRP, Mental Health Association of New Jersey & Consumer Connections
Chrissy Schayer is a passionate leader in the mental health peer movement, widely regarded as a recovery champion and change agent. With more than 20 years of experience in peer-run community mental health organizations, she has dedicated her career to advancing recovery-oriented practices, developing innovative programs, and strengthening the peer support workforce.
Chrissy holds dual degrees in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology from Rutgers University and Kean University. She currently serves as the Director of Consumer Connections at the Mental Health Association in NJ, where she oversees statewide education and credentialing for peer supporters. A dynamic educator and curriculum developer, Chrissy has trained thousands of individuals worldwide on topics such as recovery, peer support, engagement strategies, goal setting, wellness, and effective service delivery. Her expertise in curriculum design and manualization has led to innovative updates to NJ’s mental health peer support training and certification.
Chrissy is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), a Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator, and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Trainer. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Johnson & Johnson–Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program Transformation Award for her development of a peer-delivered employment program, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s award for Outstanding Contributions in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Research, and the 2025 NJ Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s Educator Excellence Award.
She has presented at national and regional conferences hosted by organizations such as Mental Health America, the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, and the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
This peer-led session is designed for Peer Recovery Specialists who support individuals navigating both substance use and mental health challenges. While co-occurring needs are common, many peers report feeling unprepared or unsure when mental health becomes part of the conversation. This workshop creates space for peers to deepen their understanding—without stepping outside the scope of peer support.
Grounded in the core peer values of choice, autonomy, hope, and non-judgment, the session highlights how mental health recovery principles naturally align with the values Peer Recovery Specialists already embody. Rather than clinical training, this workshop offers plain-language insights and peer-centered responses to support individuals experiencing:
Anxiety and depression
Trauma-related responses
Psychosis and altered states
Emotional distress and overwhelm
Led by experienced peers, the workshop centers real-world peer strategies to reduce stigma, respond with compassion, and build authentic connection—especially in settings like harm reduction, reentry, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and substance use disorder (SUD) programs, where mental health is often present but not always addressed.
Participants will leave with renewed confidence, skills, and language to support individuals with co-occurring needs—while staying grounded in their role and recovery. This session elevates the power of peer voice in navigating complexity with empathy, presence, and respect.
Chrissy Schayer
CPRP, Mental Health Association of New Jersey & Consumer Connections
11:00am - 12:00pm
MAC 210
Workshop