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 integration follows significant growth for MSAN in 2025 after launching LIMS and responds directly to survey data highlighting mental health challenges within the military spouse community.
Survey results from the 2025 cohort revealed that 83% of participants reported their experiences as military spouses have affected their mental health or overall wellness. The certification aims to address this need by providing spouses with practical tools, with 97% of those who completed the coursework indicating they now have resources to assist themselves or others during a mental health crisis. Furthermore, 92% said the training taught them something new about mental health and wellness.
The Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification offers evidence-based professional training through a self-paced, on-demand format within the LIMS framework. Psych Hub maintains a library of over 1,000 digital assets, including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts, supporting what MSAN describes as a more compassionate and mentally fit volunteer force. The training is designed to help military spouses serve as trained mental health allies and first emotional responders, bridging the gap between the immediate need for support and the availability of professional care.
MSAN Founder and CEO Verenice Castillo emphasized the program's importance, stating 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 fill this role more effectively. Castillo also acknowledged USAA's sponsorship and partnership, highlighting a shared commitment to creating lasting impact for those who serve alongside the nation's military.
Eligibility for the program extends to all spouses of current 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, individuals can visit https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship.
The addition of this certification to the LIMS catalog represents a strategic expansion of MSAN's mission to empower military spouses through education and support. MSAN pioneered a structured, personal approach via peer-to-peer mentorship in its proprietary Membership HUB. By implementing this mental health training through LIMS, the organization further empowers spouses, aligning with its goal of building stronger military families. This initiative not only addresses immediate mental health resource shortages but also contributes to broader objectives like improving morale, supporting military retention, and fostering a stronger sense of community among military families.
