What's new Events Digital stories screening 2025

Digital stories screening 2025

Giving a voice to the Veteran and Family community, one story at a time — From left to right: Kathleen, Chance, Patrick, Grant, Laurence — Giving a voice to the Veteran and Family community, one story at a time

From left to right: Kathleen, Chance, Patrick, Grant, Laurence

Canadian Veterans and their Families have proudly served our country together, despite the many risks involved. Many of these risks result in invisible wounds that persist long after their service has ended. It can be a complex and difficult journey toward healing while balancing pride in their service with the need to recover from past trauma.

If you find yourself resonating with these challenges, know that you are not alone. The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families invites you to discover a new series of digital stories told by Veterans and Veteran Family members. United by a shared desire to tell their stories, these individuals reveal their paths toward reclaiming their identity, finding purpose and redefining who they are today. Healing often begins with connecting — by sharing experiences with those who understand. In featuring these stories, we hope to shine a light on the power of connection and community in support of others who may be on similar journeys.

You are invited to join us on September 2, 2025 for a free screening of our newest digital stories from Veterans and Veteran Family members. This event will be held in English with French auto captioning available.

Note: Each of these real-life stories is impactful in its own way and can affect each person differently. Please remember to prioritize your self-care as needed. If you need support, please visit our directory of services for a list of resources available to current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their Families.

The screening will include a panel discussion with each of the featured storytellers and the opportunity to ask them questions, reflecting on your own story.

Come and be part of a meaningful conversation about letting go of the past and embracing the future.

This is Chance’s story

When Chance returned from a military deployment to Afghanistan, fear, anger and resentment followed him. They whispered doubts that sought to convince him he had to control everything around him, or risk losing what he loved. One day, overwhelmed by the pressure, he made a conscious choice to let go and stop worrying about the things outside of his control and be fully present as a father and husband. The difference was noticeable to those around him and he could feel it too. Letting go of control has strengthened his relationships and given him back his life.

Learn more about posttraumatic stress disorder: atlasveterans.ca/ptsd

This is Grant’s story

Growing up as the only child of two military Veterans — including one with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — Grant was unaware his experiences as a child were far from typical. He found solace in the arts and used those same tools to help other youth with parents impacted by operational stress injuries. Grant made it his mission to help them understand their parents’, to know it’s not their fault and that they are not responsible for their parents’ injuries. Today he continues to support the Veteran and Family community, listening with empathy and without judgment.

Learn more about what it can be like growing up with a parent with PTSD and find tools to help: MindKit.ca

This is Kathleen’s story

Kathleen’s service as a military spouse spans over 40 years. While her husband served around the world, she kept the home front safe, holding her breath for herself and her children, living in constant worry for his safety. She was eventually diagnosed with her own operational stress injury and moral injury, recognizing that injuries don’t just happen on the battlefield. Today, she has found the therapies and other supports that work best for her and is focused on maintaining her own wellness and returning to a whole life.

Learn more about support for Families: atlasveterans.ca/families

This is Laurence’s story

Laurence joined the military at the age of 17, during what felt like a directionless time in his life. Initially he found the structure and purpose he had sought, but after years of career disappointments and medical challenges, he once again struggled to find purpose and meaning. After a medical release, it took 13 years of hard work, but the pieces came back together. What didn’t break him helped reshape and forge a new, stronger and more purposeful life.

Learn more about moral injury: atlasveterans.ca/moral-injury

This is Patrick’s story

Patrick felt his entire career in the Canadian Armed Forces had prepared him for Afghanistan. The fog of war and its chaos was not something he ever thought might change him. But after one life-altering moment during a deployment, he was left frustrated, disappointed, sad and angry. After returning home to Canada, he realized these changes were a response to the trauma he had experienced. He sought help for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and with time has learned to embrace life and live to the fullest, no matter the challenge.

Learn more about PTSD: atlasveterans.ca/ptsd

Explore other digital stories from CAF and RCMP Veterans and Family members. Told in their own words, they share a thread of recovery and resilience. In bringing these stories to life, the hope is to support others on their own journeys.

Watch now

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

1 – 3 p.m., Eastern time

Online

Free