The mission of South Lane Mental Health is to restore hope and renew lives through compassionate mental health services, support, and advocacy.
Dear Friends and Partners of South Lane Mental Health,
We are pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Executive Director to our long-time employee Noah Zepeda. He accepted the position late last week.
Noah has been with South Lane Mental Health for almost a decade as the Director of Finance and Operations, and more recently as the Co-Executive Director of the agency. His strategic vision for our operations and his careful management of our financial position has positioned our agency well for the future.
The board came to this decision after an extensive process of carefully considering what will be needed over the next several years for the agency. SLMH is well positioned for continued improvement as we emerge from the pandemic. Under Noah’s leadership, we believe we will be able to evolve and grow our services to our community. Noah has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the values of respect, creativity, diversity, community and empowerment. He also brings to this position his qualities of humility, integrity and a deep belief in inclusion. The board fully believes that his background and understanding of the culture of our agency will help to position the agency well for the future.
Noah has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science Management from Southern Oregon University. He has worked for other local organizations but has found his home at South Lane Mental Health. He has a strong commitment to the services we provide to serve the needs of our rural community. As a bilingual and multicultural leader of our organization, Noah will be able to clearly communicate our commitment to diversity and inclusion in our community and to our clients.
There will be more news to come and we will reach out again as things evolve. Our board welcomes the new leadership under our new Executive Director.
Sincerely,
Jim Harrison
Board Chairperson
We at South Lane Mental Health seek to promote equity and inclusion within our agency as well as the larger Cottage Grove Community. Our hearts go out to members of our community that have been impacted directly or indirectly by recent and historic violence against people of color. We believe that black lives matter, and we support those that seek justice and equity for all. The pain, frustration, and emotional toll that communities of color are enduring due to systemic racism add to existing disparities.
This is a time for all of us to work together to build stronger communities, address social, health, and economic disparities, and to heal the divisions in our society. We call on all community members, especially those in leadership roles, to model compassion and strive for constructive solutions.
SOUTH LANE MENTAL HEALTH is a non-profit community mental health organization serving southern Lane County, North Douglas County and Springfield. Since 1988, South Lane Mental Health has been committed to helping people affected by mental illness and emotional problems, to better understand their condition and take steps toward recovery and living independently and productively in the community.
Our therapists help children and adults realize full and productive lives through counseling (depression, anxiety, etc.), case management, medication management, crisis services (suicide prevention, PTSD related symptoms, etc.) , recovery services (alcohol and drug abuse), intensive outpatient services, supported employment and supported housing. Please contact us if you or someone you care about needs help: 541-942-3939.
