Russ Andreacchio has been appointed the new executive director of Weems Community Mental Health Center, following the retirement of Maurice Kahlmus.

Andreacchio, who has worked with Weems for 23 years, has served as a therapist for children and adults, county coordinator and alcohol and drug director of Weems LifeCare. He served as assistant director for the last three years.

“I’ve been fortunate to serve the mental health community for almost 40 years. I think the board made a good decision in appointing Russ,” Kahlmus said in a news release. “I believe he will lead Weems in the right direction going forward.”

“I am very excited to have this opportunity,” Andreacchio said in the release.

“Weems provides many great services to the people in our region. I look forward to expanding services and helping those affected by mental illness in our area,”

Established in 1970, Weems Community Mental Health Center has offices in each of the nine counties that make up Region Ten of the Mississippi Community Mental Health System. Counties served by Weems include: Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Smith.

The center provides a range of outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents and adults, including mental health therapy, medication evaluation and management, case management, and more. Weems also provides inpatient crisis stabilization services for adults, as well as, outpatient and residential substance-abuse-treatment programs. To learn more, visit www.weemsmh.com.