NAMI National Awards

Each year at the NAMI National Convention, we honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in furthering the goals of our movement. Included below are our awards winners.

The CEO Cares Award honors CEOs who demonstrate exceptional commitment to corporate social responsibility and community impact initiatives. Recognizing leaders who go above and beyond profit-driven motives, this award celebrates those who prioritize philanthropy, sustainability, and ethical business practices in their organizations. Recipients of the National CEO Cares Award inspire others by leveraging their positions of influence to create meaningful and lasting positive change in society.

The Mental Health Equity Award honors leaders engaged in innovative strategies that advance equity in mental health care for people in underserved and under resourced communities. The award recognizes the value and importance of a deep and unwavering commitment to community solutions that are grounded in ending stigma, raising mental health awareness, expanding strategic partnerships and the broad expansion of effective and timely mental health care delivery. Those receiving this award recognize the value of engaging with strategic partners united in support of community-based solutions that achieve equity in mental health care delivery and thus improve the overall health and well-being of our nation’s communities.

The Outstanding Friend of NAMI recognizes a person, company, or organization that strives to further its mission to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness.

The President & CEO Award recognizes exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication in advancing the mission and vision of an organization on a national scale. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding strategic vision, integrity, and impact in their respective fields, driving significant positive change and inspiring others to excel. Recipients of this award serve as role models for leadership excellence, embodying the highest standards of professional achievement and ethical conduct.

The NAMI Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who, over the course of their whole career or lifetime, has advanced the NAMI mission to build better lives for people living with mental illness and their families. (Created in 2019 to highlight the career long contributions of Ron Honberg.)

The Joyce Burland Inspiration Award recognizes a NAMI staff or volunteer who has demonstrated creativity, dedication and resourcefulness to offer or expand NAMI’s national education programs. The awardee should be an inspiration to families, individuals with a mental health condition or the general public through their work with NAMI programs.

The Rona and Ken Purdy Award for Distinguished Service recognizes the sustained contributions of an individual or organization to raise public awareness, reduce stigma and advance our mission to build better lives for people with mental illness and their families.

The Lionel Aldridge Champions Award recognizes an individual living with mental illness who demonstrates courage, leadership and service in their work to promote recovery and ensure that all people living with mental illness live full lives in their communities. NAMI’s highest peer award is given in the spirit of our organization’s ongoing commitment and devotion to supporting a movement and community that is inclusive of people living with mental illness, their family members and friends.

The Richard and Betsy Greer Advocacy Award honors NAMI advocates whose leadership and vision has advanced policy and advocacy efforts that impact individuals living with mental illness and their families. (Award established in 2003)

The Sam Cochran Criminal Justice Award recognizes exemplary individuals whose work in the criminal justice system has improved the fair and humane treatment of people with mental illness. (Award established in 2004)

The Young Leader Award recognizes young adults who exemplify exceptional leadership among their peers to foster a culture of recovery and resiliency that helps people living with mental illness live full lives in their communities. (Award established in 2013)

The Cross Cultural Innovation and Engagement Award honors effective efforts to ensure that diversity and inclusion are high priorities within NAMI. (Award established in 2001)

The Outstanding NAMI Affiliate Award is bestowed upon a NAMI Affiliate that demonstrates exceptional leadership, strong community presence, outreach to diverse communities and exemplary stewardship of the NAMI mission.

The Outstanding NAMI State Organization Award recognizes the exemplary efforts to carry out the NAMI mission.

The Gloria Huntley Award recognizes exemplary advocacy work by an individual or organization at the national or local level.

The Ken Steele Award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual living with mental illness to improve quality of life, increase empowerment, and promote integration and inclusion for their peers.

The Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition of exceptional efforts to further NAMI’s goal of improving the lives of people living with mental illness.  *This award is discontinued as of 2020

The Outstanding NAMI Member Award is the highest honor given by NAMI to a member in recognition of long and effective work toward accomplishing NAMI’s goals.  *This award is discontinued as of 2020