The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has named John Gray as the 2025 recipient of the Owen Adams Award of Honour, the Association’s highest distinction for an individual who is not a physician. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to Canadian health care and health advocacy.

“Mr. Gray has dedicated his professional life to advancing the interests and health care of persons affected by severe mental illness. He continues to passionately work on some of the most important issues in the field.”

– Dr. Nelson Collins, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC

Mr. Gray is being recognized for his decades-long commitment to advancing the rights, care, and dignity of individuals living with severe mental illness. Much of this work has been carried out in collaboration with the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), where Mr. Gray has served in various leadership and advisory roles. Through the Society, he has contributed to systemic advocacy, public education, and the development of resources and supports for families affected by schizophrenia and related illnesses.

“This award is a profound honour,” said Mr. Gray. “I am deeply grateful to the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, whose unwavering commitment to families and individuals affected by mental illness has provided the foundation for much of my work. I also extend my thanks to the many people and organizations whose support and collaboration over the years have made this recognition possible.”

Mr. Gray has a PhD in psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom, and a MA in clinical psychology from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. He is a recognized national and international expert in mental health law policy and advocates for people with severe mental illness whose symptoms preclude them from accepting treatment voluntarily.

His remarkable career started in Saskatchewan where he worked as a clinical psychologist, as the director of psychology in the health ministry and later as the executive director of Saskatchewan’s only psychiatric hospital.

Moving to British Columbia in 1979, Mr. Gray was an assistant executive director of Riverview Hospital, the largest psychiatric hospital in the province. He then worked at the BC Ministry of Health, mental health service division, where he held various director-level positions including director of rehabilitation and services to the elderly. During his 20 years in the ministry, he was the liaison with ministry lawyers on British Columbia Mental Health Act issues, including for reviewing and making legislative amendments to the act.

Using his experience on how legislation could help people, he was the lead author of the second edition of the book Canadian Mental Health Law and Policy. He has also co-authored numerous articles on mental health legislative issues.

Mr. Gray’s mental health advocacy has included serving as a board member of the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, as president of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and as a continuing member of the BC Schizophrenia Society and the federal Family Alliance on Severe Mental Illnesses.

Mr. Gray’s advocacy for geriatric mental health positions was channelled through this position in the BC Ministry of Health and at voluntary organizations. These included roles as president of the BC Psychogeriatric Association and the Canadian Association on Gerontology and as secretary general of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

The Owen Adams Award is named after Dr. Owen Adams, a former executive director of the CMA and a distinguished advocate for health policy reform. It is the highest honour the CMA confers on a non-physician and celebrates outstanding contributions to health and health care in Canada.