Staff Spotlight – Zekariah England, Battelle House Manager

Zekariah England, manager of United Counseling Service (UCS)’s Battelle House, found his way to the mental health field after working in supervisor roles in banking and finance. Through those largely solitary, self-starting roles, he discovered he wanted to pursue a new path.

“I wanted to try something that means more to me,” says Zac. “I have my own journey with mental health. I can meet the folks we work with where they’re at, and I understand where they’re coming from. I’ve been in their shoes, and I also have family members who have difficulty with their own mental health.”

Zac started at UCS as a crisis stabilization support worker at the agency’s Battelle House location in the fall of 2025, before becoming manager. Battelle House is the hub of UCS’ Emergency Services division and includes the agency’s Integrated Crisis Stabilization Services (ICSS) program, which provides safe, immediate, short-term care for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises. Individuals participating in ICSS can access therapeutic groups, skill-building support focused on coping, independence, and sobriety, as well as focused support from trained crisis stabilization staff. UCS Emergency Services also offers a 24/7/365 mobile crisis program that provides a two-person response for mental health and substance use crisis in Bennington County.

For Zac, each day at Battelle House looks a little different. Some days, he accompanies clinicians on crisis calls, or he works on data tracking and reporting, and other days involve taking a high volume of phone calls. Everything in Emergency Services revolves around providing high quality care to individuals in the community seeking support. Addressing and reducing stigma around mental health challenges is a top priority for Zac, as stigma often contributes to individuals feeling shame in accessing mental health care. “There’s a huge stigma when it comes to everything with mental health,” he says. “If I can give just one person a little bit of a push to get where they need to go, then I’d love to do that.”

Zac is thankful to work with a team motivated to do their best for those in their care. “I find myself being even more motivated—my team has such a great mindset for everything. It’s been fantastic. All the folks I work with are 110% in their positions.”  Zac is just as motivated in his role and appreciates every challenge or experience as an opportunity to learn, educate others, and grow. Zac also draws on what he needed when he was struggling, and uses that to inform the care he provides for others. He offers some advice for those considering doing the kind of work he does.

“Really look inside and think of all the things you wish you had growing up until this point, and realize the potential that you can give back to someone. Be humble, be human, try not to be biased, and be open and honest with yourself. If you can do that, then you’ll flourish.”