The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) will officially incorporate the Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification into its Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) catalog this year. This addition follows unprecedented growth for MSAN in 2025 after launching LIMS and addresses a demonstrated need among military spouses for mental health support tools.
The certification, sponsored by USAA, will be offered as a self-paced, on-demand program through LIMS. This integration represents a strategic expansion of MSAN's mission to empower military spouses through structured education and peer-to-peer mentorship within its proprietary Membership HUB. The program aims to help mitigate mental health resource shortages by training military spouses to serve as mental health allies and first emotional responders in their communities.
Data from MSAN's 2025 cohort surveys reveal significant mental health challenges among military spouses. Eighty-three percent of surveyed participants reported that challenges encountered as a military spouse have affected their mental health or overall wellness. The training appears effective, with 97% of participants who completed the coursework indicating they now have tools to assist themselves or someone else during a mental health crisis, and 92% saying the training taught them something new about mental health and wellness.
Participants will benefit from Psych Hub's evidence-based professional training, which supports developing a more compassionate and mentally fit volunteer force. Psych Hub hosts a library of over 1,000 digital assets, including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts. The training is designed to bridge the gap between the moment support is needed and when professional care becomes available.
Eligibility extends to all spouses of currently serving United States military members from any branch, including the Reserves and Guard, as well as post-9/11 Gold Star spouses, surviving spouses, caregivers, or spouses of veterans or retirees. For more details about eligibility and lessons learned through the program, visit https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship.
MSAN Founder and CEO Verenice Castillo emphasized the program's importance, noting that military spouses are often the first line of support for their families and communities, yet access to timely mental health resources remains a critical challenge. The certification equips them with practical skills to fill this gap. Castillo expressed gratitude for USAA's partnership and shared commitment to creating lasting impact for those who serve alongside the nation's military.
The inclusion of this certification in the LIMS catalog represents a significant step in providing military spouses with expanded opportunities for leadership development and community support. By formalizing mental health ally training within its leadership institute, MSAN strengthens its structured approach to building long-term connections to resources and expanding the military family sense of community. This initiative aligns with broader organizational goals to improve morale, support military retention, and increase utilization of available resources.
