Leonard I. Pearlin Award for Distinguished Contributions
This award is given for distinguished contributions to the sociological study of mental health. Thanks to a generous donation from Leonard Pearlin, the mental health section of the ASA has created this annual award. The award honors a scholar who has made substantial contributions in theory and/or research to the sociology of mental health. Nominations should include a CV of the nominee and a letter of support describing the nominee's contributions to the sociology of mental health. Nominations should be sent to the Awards Committee Chair for the Mental Health Section, Marisa Young at myoung@mcmaster.ca,, by January 15, 2026.
Award for Best Article in Mental Health
This award is given for the best published article, book, or chapter in the area of the sociology of mental health. . To be eligible for the award, the publication must have appeared in print between August 2024 and August 2026. The awards committee will also conduct a search of works published in the past two years for potential candidates for this award. Letters of nomination for this award should be sent to the Awards Committee Chair for the Mental Health Section, , Marisa Young at myoung@mcmaster.ca, by February 1, 2026
Award for Best Book in Mental Health
This award (established in 2024) is given every three years for the best published book in the area of the sociology of mental health. There well be an announcement regarding the next book award in the future. Questions about this award should be directed to the Awards Committee Chair for the Mental Health Section, Marisa Young at myoung@mcmaster.ca.
Award for Best Dissertation in Mental Health
This award is given for the best doctoral dissertation in the area of the sociology of mental health. To be considered for this award, the dissertation must have been defended within the two academic years (2024-2025 and 2025-2026) prior to the annual meeting. While not required, a letter from your dissertation advisor would be helpful. Please send a letter of nomination and a dissertation synopsis or a paper based on the dissertation to the Awards Committee Chair for the Mental Health Section, Marisa Young at myoung@mcmaster.ca, by March 1, 2026.
Graduate Student Paper Award
This award is given to a current graduate student member of the section for the best published or unpublished article, book, or chapter in the area of mental health. To be considered for this award, the paper must have been completed within the two academic years (2024-2025 and 2025-2026) prior to the annual meeting by a current graduate student as the first author. Papers authored by more than one student are acceptable but papers coauthored with faculty are not eligible. Section members are encouraged to submit nominations. Self-nominations from graduate student members of the section are also welcome. Please send a letter of nomination and a paper to the Awards Committee Chair for the Mental Health Section, Marisa Young at myoung@mcmaster.ca, by April 1, 2026.