The space in between: Notes on a research-based play about moral injury and the transition to civilian life

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY Dominant biomedical framings of military trauma and resulting treatment approaches for mental health issues can sometimes fall short for military members and Veterans and risk individualizing and pathologizing normal human reactions to the emotions at the core of moral injury. As such, philosophical and aesthetic exploration are warranted. This research-based theatre project was inspired by the work of Jonathan Shay, who looked to ancient Greek theatre to develop his concept of moral injury and argued that healing can only take place in community. In-depth interviews with nine Canadian Armed Forces Veterans led to the creation of a research-based play in which each scene represents one of the major themes identified during or after interview sessions (family, betrayal, brotherhood and mothering, public honour, sickness and coping). Sub-themes (heroism, the body, militarized masculinity, the role of women) became smaller or transition scenes in the play.