Military Spouse Advocacy Network Launches Mental Health Ally Certification

The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) has unveiled a new Mental Health Ally Certification, which is now available for eligible members. This initiative, introduced in partnership with USAA and Psych Hub, arrives in conjunction with National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The certification, previously exclusive to MSAN volunteers, is now accessible to active participants of MSAN's mentorship program.

The certification program requires participants to meet six criteria, including joining the Mentorship HUB and maintaining active communication with an assigned mentor from MSAN's Military Spouse Mentorship Program (MSMP). Detailed eligibility requirements and the process for pairing with a mentor can be reviewed at MSAN's Mentorship HUB.

MSAN's structured, peer-to-peer mentorship experience is available 24/7 through their proprietary Membership HUB. A recent survey of military-connected spouses indicated a significant need for enhanced mental health support. Key findings include that 82% of surveyed members felt their mental health or overall wellness was affected by the challenges of being a military spouse, and 93% believed additional mental health support was necessary for military spouses and families. Furthermore, 96% of respondents expressed that they would benefit from mental health training and resources.

The new Mental Health Ally Certification aims to bridge the gap in mental health resources for military spouses. Participants will gain access to Psych Hub's evidence-based professional training, which includes a comprehensive library of over 1,000 digital assets such as short videos, shareable content, and podcasts. This training is designed to support a more compassionate and mentally resilient volunteer force.

MSAN Founder and CEO Verenice Castillo emphasized the importance of the certification: "The intent of these certifications is to support military spouses, their families, and their communities as a whole. Throughout the years, we have gathered testimonies and data that reflect the need for meaningful mental health support. Our commitment to support, empower and educate military spouses, brought us to this point. We are building an army of first emotional responders that will bring immediate and long-term impact. The mental health allies will fill the gap between the moment a military spouse needs support and the time they receive professional services. We are thankful to have USAA's trust and support to bring change to a community in need."

This initiative underscores MSAN's ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of military families through education, empowerment, and support. By extending the Mental Health Ally Certification to a broader audience within their network, MSAN aims to create a more robust support system for military spouses, thereby improving morale and retention within military communities.