About The Lawson Center
Our Story
The vision and origin: The Lawson Center's name is in honor of the late Lawson Spicer, Ph.D. who lost his battle with depression, dementia and chronic disease at the age of 70 in June 2023. Lawson was an accomplished animal scientist and dairy nutritionist, husband and father of 4 successful adult children. He struggled for many decades with depression and our system failed him. Had there been more accessible mental health treatment that was integrated, patient centered and recovery focused, his quality of life might have improved in his final years. That being said, the legacy he left behind and his kind, compassionate and caring energy, inspires a treatment program that emulates who he was and the inspiration he continues to give to others.
Lived Experience Driving this Effort:
Scott Spicer has a personal passion for mental health recovery and over 15 years of field experience in direct mental health and dual diagnosis treatment services, prevention, public health, health care services and business development. Scott is also a survivor. He nearly died from a traumatic brain injury at the age of 4, before TBIs were popularly known or researched regarding the co-occurring mental health impacts of this type of trauma. Luckily Scott had the chance to live an independent life, obtain a graduate degree and have a family of his own. He has also been a volunteer advocate, activist and fundraiser nationally in the mental health recovery movement and for persons with disabilities. Scott discovered upon going into clinical outreach that treatment centers existed which could have helped him in his recovery journey going all the way back to 2006 after one of the most significant crisis points he had experienced. Scott is proud to be here today, leading an effort to expand access to mental health care in Oregon that will reach people like himself and Lawson, who often get lost in a system that creates so many barriers for individuals with a mental health diagnosis to access care. We are here to be the solution and offer a much needed service.
Behind the Logo
The Lawson Center logo was hand painted by Nancy Liggett, the first peer Scott ever worked with back in 2009. Scott's recovery journey was significantly shaped by the bond that he and Nancy have kept over all these years. Nancie is an artist residing in Kalamazoo, MI and she has many hand paintings that she often donates to others. The logo was digitally mastered by Savannah Lewis who's family has also been impacted by suicide loss.