The ‘Expressing the Invisible’ initiative was featured at the 14th conference of the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) in Prague, where nearly 700 participants from the fields of research, healthcare, public health and the community sector attended.
During the conference, Isabelle Boisvert presented Expressing the Invisible: The Art of Speaking Out, an initiative designed and led by people with lived and living experience. The initiative seeks to recognize, value, and amplify experiential knowledge through knowledge-sharing activities, public engagement events, and creative content development.
The presentation highlighted The Art of Speaking Out, an event held in Montreal on September 25, 2025. This event featured presentations, discussions, and an art exhibition showcasing works created by people affected by substance use, homelessness, mental health challenges, criminalization, and sex work. It provided a platform for participants to share their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives while fostering dialogue and mutual learning.
Developed through collaboration among multiple partners, Expressing the Invisible serves as a direct and tangible application of the Quebec Node’s Partnerships, Inclusion and Engagement research axis for 2022-2028. By creating spaces where people with lived and living experience can share their knowledge, perspectives, and creativity, the initiative brings the principles of inclusion, engagement, and partnership from research into action. This axis is co-led by Karine Bertrand and Mélodie Talbot.
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