The Kaiser Foundation is now accepting nominations for its 2010 National Awards for Excellence, which recognize Canadian addiction and mental-health related programs and advocacy in six distinct categories.

The winner in each category will receive C$10,000 to give to the charity of their choice.

The Excellence in Aboriginal Programming award recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to reducing the impact and negative effects of alcohol and other drug use, or concurrent disorders involving substance use and mental health issues, in aboriginal communities or among aboriginal peoples through the development or implementation of effective and innovative community programming.

The Excellence in Community Programming award recognizes significant contributions toward reducing the addiction and mental-health problems through the development or implementation of effective and innovative community programming. The award is not limited to alcohol and other drug specific interventions but includes broad-based physical and mental-health promotion, prevention, and treatment programs aimed at addressing risk and protective factors; building resilience; or assisting in management or recovery.

The Excellence in Leadership award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated significant leadership within their community or sector (physical health, mental health, education, enforcement, social services, private sector, labor, etc.) to address the impact and negative effects of alcohol and other drug use, or concurrent disorders involving substance use and mental health issues. Leadership in building collaboration between sectors will be given special recognition.

The Excellence in Media Reporting award recognizes an individual who has, through media reporting or commentary, made a major contribution to the public understanding of substance use, or concurrent disorders involving substance use and mental health issues, the related harms, and the range of appropriate responses. The individual's contributions are characterized by thoughtfulness and sensitivity in commenting on current issues related to substance use and related public policies and services. They draw on the best available evidence to create context and to promote understanding.

The Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Programming award recognizes an individual or program that has made a significant contribution to addressing the complex intersection of substance use and mental health issues through the development or implementation of programming that promotes mental wellness and/or healthy choices related to substance use.

The Excellence in Public Policy award recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to reducing the impact and negative effects of alcohol and other drug use, or concurrent disorders involving substance use and mental health issues, through the advancement of effective public policy which was applied at any level (national, provincial, territorial, municipal or First Nations).

Finally, the Excellence in Youth Leadership award recognizes a young person (25 years or younger) as having demonstrated significant initiative and leadership within their school or community to address the impact and negative effects of alcohol and other drug use, or concurrent disorders involving substance use and mental health issues.

Nominations are due Nov. 20. For full details, see the Kaiser Foundation website.