The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) will officially add the Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification to its Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) catalog this year. The certification, sponsored by USAA, represents a significant expansion of mental health resources available to military spouses who often serve as primary support systems for their families and communities.
This integration comes after MSAN experienced unprecedented growth in 2025 following the launch of LIMS. The self-paced certification will be available on-demand through the institute, providing military spouses with evidence-based professional training to become mental health allies and first emotional responders. According to MSAN Founder and CEO Verenice Castillo, this training bridges the gap between when support is needed and when professional care becomes available.
Survey data from the 2025 cohort reveals the critical need for such resources. Eighty-three percent of surveyed participants reported that challenges encountered as military spouses have affected their mental health or overall wellness. The training appears effective, with 97 percent of participants who completed the coursework indicating they now have tools to assist themselves or someone else during a mental health crisis, and 92 percent saying the training taught them something new about mental health and wellness.
The Psych Hub training platform hosts a library of over 1,000 digital assets including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts. This resource addresses mental health resource shortages by supporting what Castillo describes as "a more compassionate and mentally fit volunteer force" among military spouses.
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, and spouses of veterans or retirees. For more details about eligibility and lessons learned through the program, visit https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship.
Castillo emphasized the importance of this development, stating 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 to serve as trained mental health allies, creating what she calls "a bigger journey full of opportunities" through LIMS. MSAN expresses gratitude for USAA's partnership and shared commitment to creating lasting impact for those who serve alongside the nation's military.
The Military Spouse Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support. Its Military Spouse Mentorship-HUB helps bridge military families from every branch of the Armed Forces and their surrounding communities worldwide through virtual education resources, mentorship programs, and leadership development. For more information on MSAN and its programs, visit https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org.
