Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions Quality Improvement

Please note that the awards nomination campaign will launch on October 1, at which time the online nomination form and the nomination template will become available.

The Award

This award will honour a hospital, health authority, community based mental health and addictions program/service, or a leader in the field that demonstrates evidence-informed and sustained quality improvements (QI) in the area of mental health and addictions.

The recipient will receive an etched glass trophy. Should the future permit us to return to an in-person event, one representative of the winning organization will also receive paid travel and accommodation to attend the College’s Honouring Health Leadership event, and a complimentary registration to the CCHL National Conference. In addition, the recipient will receive a $7,500 grant for the organization to use to continue their QI activities in their mental health program, and $1,000 for an educational leadership event and translation of best practices within the winning organization.

Eligibility

This award is open to individuals and organizations operating in Canada that demonstrate: (a) recent (three years) application of evidence-based quality improvements in their health system which improves outcomes for patients with mental illness and/or addictions (b) sustained system/program improvements. Possible nominees could include, but are not limited to:

  • A hospital based mental health program providing a continuum of services;
  • A community-based mental health and addictions program that is publicly funded and has official partnerships with hospitals as part of the continuum of care for the treatment of mental health and addictions;
  • A school based program that supported mental health for children/youth;
  • A corrections-based mental health and addictions program; and
  • A recognized health systems leader in the field of mental health and addictions.

Nominations

Nominations must be made by a member of the College and be submitted by February 1. Nominations must be submitted as one PDF file via the team and organization award online form and include the following:

  • The completed nomination form (to be completed online).
  • A letter of nomination from a member of the College.
  • The completed nomination template, describing the innovative QI mental health initiative(s) undertaken, including the results.
  • Three letters of support that clearly articulate how the nominee meets the criteria for this award. One letter must be from a patient, family member, or patient advisory committee directly impacted by the program/initiative.

Sponsored by:

Mental Health Commission of Canada

CCSA logo

2023 Recipient: Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program – Central North implemented a quality improvement project aimed at increasing the quality and volume of services provided to people from the program’s Priority Populations. This regional Quality Improvement initiative targeted the needs of individuals most represented in the community of Central-North Ontario (people who are Indigenous, Francophone, and members of 2S-LGBTQ+ community).


This quality improvement project resulted in increased referrals, more people accessing cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in the region, positive clinical outcomes, and increased clients served from Priority Populations. It also contributed to the advancement of continuous quality improvement initiatives across the OSP program provincially. 

Past Recipients

Please see our most recent recipients listed below. Full details are available in our Celebrating Leading Practices booklets.

2023 – Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

2022 – Fraser Health

2021 – Alberta Health Services

2020 – Hôpital Montfort

2019 – Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

2018 – Dr. Kathleen A. Pajer

2017 – Scarborough and Rouge Hospital

2016 – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

2015 – Ontario Shores

2014 – Nova Scotia Health Authority (previously Capital Health)

Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions Quality Improvement Selection Committee

List of Awards

For almost two decades, the National Awards Program has been showcasing the success of exemplary individuals and teams, encouraging knowledge exchange, and celebrating excellence while stimulating replication of leading practices across the health industry.