Webinar Recording: Translating Evidence into Practice: ‘Loneliness in the Veteran Community’

Date of event: Wednesday, 5th November 2025

Speakers
Richard Gettings and Mark Humphreys

Resources to accompany the webinar
Presentation: ‘Loneliness in the Veteran Community’

Chat messages during the webinar

Suicide, trauma, and mental ill health remain significant issues within the UK – and indeed, the global veteran community. While there are no official statistics on veteran suicide numbers in the UK, data gathered by veteran support networks show concerning trends in the numbers of men and women from the veteran community taking their own lives. At the heart of many of these experiences of suicide, trauma and mental ill-health lies loneliness, a complex issue that manifests in unique ways within the veteran community.

This session will take on an, “In Conversation” format, where Richard Gettings and Mark & Teri Humphreys will share their lived experiences of loneliness, mental ill health, and the power of connection within the veteran community, looking at it’s unique characteristics and also any potential similarities with the lived experience of other marginalised and stigmatised communities.

Together, they will also explore how social prescribing and community-based approaches can support veterans facing isolation and mental health challenges and discuss how their personal journeys have shaped their understanding of loneliness, as well as the research and initiatives they contribute to, that seek to address it.

This event invites everyone involved in supporting those experiencing loneliness — whether in veteran circles or other communities. By exploring how loneliness manifests across different contexts, we can better collaborate to reduce its impact and stigma.

If you have any questions or want to continue the conversation, join our ‘Stigma & Prejudice’ group or reach out via email community.manager@neighbourlylab.com