Stories that INSPIRE: Reducing social isolation and loneliness through storytelling
By Jenny J. W. Liu
This project expanded on the original INSPIRE study, which examined the key factors influencing both isolation and resilience among Canadian Armed Forces Veterans. Building on those insights, it aimed to address the persistent challenges of social isolation and loneliness that many Veterans experience during their transition to civilian life.
Methodology
Participants - Six Veterans were interviewed to explore the emotional and social challenges of transitioning to civilian life, including themes of isolation, belonging, and resilience. Participants were selected to reflect diversity in gender, service length, and transition type. Recruitment is ongoing to reach the target of ten participants.
Advisory Groups - Two advisory groups—the original INSPIRE team (via Veterans Affairs Canada) and a group created by the Atlas Institute supported the co-design of protocols, reviewed materials, and provided feedback on emerging themes and video drafts to ensure cultural relevance and appropriateness were considered.
Interview Process - Interview analysis incorporated a sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA+) framework to explore how intersecting identities (e.g., gender, race, service role, geography) shaped experiences of isolation and resilience.
Narrative Video - Interviews were used to create short, educational videos aimed at raising awareness and promoting resilience within the Veteran community. Early versions captured core themes and were designed to support both learning and healing.
Findings
Main themes highlighted through interviews:
Loss of Close Friendships and Sense of Belonging - Many veterans described a deep emotional void after losing mutual support among peers after military life, leading to feelings of isolation, pain, and reduced resilience in civilian life.
Unsupported Transition and Institutional Betrayal - Veterans described the transition as abrupt and unsupported, feeling cast off by a system they saw as indifferent—an institutional betrayal that worsened their distress.
Social Disconnection from Civilians and Stigma - Veterans struggled to form meaningful civilian connections due to stigma, discrimination, and cultural misunderstandings, deepening their sense of isolation.
Resilience Through Peer Support and Reconnection - Despite these challenges, veterans showed strong resilience, often finding healing through peer support, shared understanding, and connection with others.
Rebuilding Purpose and Meaning Through Helping Others - Re-engaging in purposeful activities like mentoring, volunteering, or advocacy boosted veterans’ mental wellbeing, fostering greater connection and hope.
Desire for Systematic Change and Advocacy - Veterans strongly called for better transition support, including early intervention, simpler processes, and trauma-informed communication—offering clear guidance for systemic change in education, mental health, and accountability.
Project Outreach
The reach of this project expanded through national knowledge-sharing initiatives. The psychoeducational video and accompanying poster presentations were shared and submitted at several national and international conferences, engaging a broad audience and raising awareness about the complex challenges Canadian Veterans face during their transition to civilian life.
To further amplify Veteran voices and broaden public engagement, the film was submitted to local and national film festivals, fostering wider cultural conversations. A second phase of knowledge mobilization was also developed to produce additional videos from existing content, highlighting more diverse narratives and extending the project’s public impact.
Resources Created
The psychoeducational narrated video alongside poster presentations have been submitted to several national and international conferences:
The Australian Conference on Traumatic Stress (ACOTS) 2024
The Canadian Institute for Military 2025
Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) 2025
A manuscript outlining the co-design and production process is currently being drafted for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Additional resources, including presentation slides and briefing notes, will be created to support the use and distribution of the final video across various settings (e.g., resource links, content description, etc.).
