Episode 33: Carolyn Quinn

In this episode we interview Carolyn Quinn of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.
Carolyn Quinn joined MHA in January of 2013. She received a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Studies from Boston University in May 2010 and completed post-bachelorette studies towards a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University.

Carolyn has received certifications/licenses as Certified Recovery Specialist Practitioner (CRSP), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), Internationally Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (I/C PRS), Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and a Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor (DRCC). Carolyn is a certified trainer for multiple curriculums including Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Trainer, Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training (QPR).

During her tenure at MHA, she has worked in multiple roles, starting as a peer specialist working with individuals in enhanced supportive housing. After Superstorm Sandy hit NJ, Carolyn assisted in recovery work funded by grants from Robert Wood Johnson, Atlantic County Department of Health, and New Jersey Relief Fund. It was her work during Sandy that led to her certification from the Hoarding Intervention Training Institute and Mutual Support Consulting in several evidence based Hoarding Disorder interventions. Carolyn is the co-founder of MHA’s Too Much Stuff Hoarding Behaviors Initiative in 2014 and currently serves as the chair of the Atlantic County Hoarding Task Force.

Carolyn worked as manager of the Wellness Center Manager in Atlantic County, where she coordinated operations, supervised, and supported peer employees, volunteers, and program members by developing and implementing activities, groups, and other services rooted in wellness-oriented models. Wellness philosophies that shaped Carolyn’s work includes Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Copeland Center Wellness Engagement (WE), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Emotional CPR (E-CPR), Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to name a few.

Carolyn serves an integral role as trainer and organizer for the Atlantic County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Steering Committee. The CIT initiative helps create a joint response of police and mental health providers to the community.

During the initial phases of the Covid-19 Pandemic Carolyn provided disaster response crisis counseling, and then as part of the senior leadership she helped develop United by Wellness (UBW)- a virtual wellness center. UBW brings the principles (no-cost support, education, and advocacy in a safe, and diverse community) rooted from in-person peer programs to a virtual platform. In the first six months of launch UBW provided 587 groups to 41,386 duplicated members.

Carolyn currently serves as Community Engagement and Wellness Programs Director, where she oversees Atlantic county’s self-help/wellness & recovery programs and initiatives. In her role she combines her passions by promoting MHA’s public policy agenda and cultivate relationships in diverse communities to provide new opportunities for populations served around housing, education, employment, financial capability, health/mental health, and community inclusion.

Carolyn lives and works in Galloway, NJ. She is a home improvement enthusiast in the home she shares with husband and their two rescued Springer Spaniels.

cquinn@mhanj.org or 609-652-3800 ext. 0303

https://www.mhanj.org/