The Kaiser Foundation’s National Awards for Excellence Program in mental health and addictions initiatives is a national program which honours the outstanding work being done by the thousands of Canadian organizations, communities and individuals who are engaged in the fields of mental health and addictions. The Awards are dedicated to recognizing the people who spend their lives helping others get well, often with little or no public acknowledgment or compensation.

There are seven award categories:

• Excellence in Public Policy
• Excellence in Community Programming
• Excellence in Aboriginal Programming
• Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Programming
• Excellence in Leadership
• Excellence in Youth Leadership
• Excellence in Media Reporting

Each Award recipient receives a $10,000 grant to be given to a recognized charity of their choice.


Nominations are solicited widely from across Canada. Submissions are reviewed by the National Awards for Excellence Program Secretariat comprised of individuals working in the addictions and mental health field. The work of the Secretariat is coordinated by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CAR-BC). Recommendations are forwarded to the National Awards Program Advisory Board for review and final selection of the Award recipients.