Owen Sound's Wellness and Recovery Centre Wins National Mental Health Care Award
The Canadian College of Health Leaders award carries a $7,500 grant and spotlights a housing-plus-treatment model now drawing interest from across Ontario.
Brightshores Health System’s Wellness and Recovery Centre in Owen Sound has won a national award for its approach to mental health and addiction care.
The Canadian College of Health Leaders named the centre the recipient of its 2026 national Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions Quality Improvement, presented June 14 at the college’s Honouring Health Leadership event in Montreal.
According to the college, the award recognizes a hospital, health program or leader demonstrating sustained, evidence-informed quality improvement in mental health and addictions.
It carries an etched-glass trophy, paid travel for one representative to attend, a $7,500 grant for continued quality-improvement work, and $1,000 toward sharing best practices.
The centre opened in June 2024 in a repurposed former elementary school. Brightshores describes it as the first model of its kind in Ontario to combine supportive housing with integrated treatment for people with complex mental health and addiction needs under one roof, offering crisis support, addictions treatment, daily drop-in clinics and both short- and longer-term programming. When it opened, Brightshores described the facility as having 45 beds.
Brightshores credits the centre with measurable gains, including fewer emergency department visits within 30 days of discharge, improved housing stability and stronger engagement in treatment.
Owen Sound Current previously reported figures the health system provided showing 30-day ED visits for mental health and addiction care falling from 410 in 2022 to 52 in fiscal 2024 and four so far in fiscal 2025. Brightshores has described those returns as a subset of visits tied specifically to mental health and addiction care and has linked the decline to the centre’s model.
The college said the centre reflects “evidence-based innovation, measurable outcomes, and lasting system transformation.” Brightshores says protocols and pathways developed at the centre have informed provincial system improvements and been shared with more than 50 organizations.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, physicians, peer workers, donors, community partners, clients and families,” said Beth Morris, Brightshores’ vice-president of clinical programs and quality and chief nursing executive.
The centre opened amid significant attention, drawing Premier Doug Ford and Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones to its June 2024 ribbon-cutting.
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