The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) will officially incorporate the Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification, sponsored by USAA, into its Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) catalog this year, building on unprecedented growth in 2025. This integration represents a strategic response to mental health challenges identified through participant surveys, with 83% of surveyed participants reporting that military spouse challenges have affected their mental health or overall wellness.
The certification program addresses mental health resource shortages by providing military spouses with evidence-based professional training that supports a more compassionate and mentally fit volunteer force. According to program results, 97% of participants who completed the coursework indicated they now have tools to assist themselves or someone else during a mental health crisis, while 92% said the training taught them something new about mental health and wellness. MSAN Founder and CEO Verenice Castillo emphasized that military spouses often serve as the first line of support for their families and communities, yet access to timely mental health resources remains a critical challenge.
The Psych Hub training, accessible through www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship, features a library of over 1,000 digital assets including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts. Castillo noted that these certifications equip military spouses to serve as trained mental health allies and first emotional responders, bridging the gap between when support is needed and when professional care becomes available. The self-paced certification will be implemented on-demand through LIMS, which MSAN describes as providing a structured and personal approach through a one-of-a-kind peer-to-peer mentorship experience within their proprietary Membership HUB.
Eligibility extends to all spouses of currently serving United States military members from any branch of the armed services, including the Reserves and Guard, as well as post 9-11 Gold Star Spouses, Surviving Spouses, Caregivers, or spouses of Veterans or Retirees. The program expansion through LIMS represents what Castillo called a big step toward providing military spouses a bigger journey full of opportunities, with the organization expressing gratitude for USAA's partnership and shared commitment to creating lasting impact for those who serve alongside the nation's military.
