Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) announced today that its Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification, sponsored by USAA, will officially join the program catalog of the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS). This integration, effective this year, builds on MSAN's unprecedented growth in 2025 following LIMS's launch.
The certification offers a self-paced, on-demand training that equips military spouses to serve as trained mental health allies and first emotional responders. According to MSAN, the program addresses critical mental health resource shortages by leveraging Psych Hub's evidence-based professional training, which includes a library of over 1,000 digital assets such as videos, shareable content, and podcasts.
Survey results from MSAN's 2025 cohort underscore the need: 83% of participants reported that challenges faced as a military spouse have affected their mental health or overall wellness. After completing the coursework, 97% indicated they now have tools to assist themselves or someone else during a mental health crisis, and 92% said the training taught them something new about mental health and wellness.
Verenice Castillo, MSAN Founder and CEO, stated, '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. These certifications equip military spouses to serve as trained mental health allies and first emotional responders—bridging the gap between the moment support is needed and the time professional care becomes available.'
Eligibility extends to all spouses of current serving U.S. military members from any branch, including Reserves and Guard, as well as post-9/11 Gold Star Spouses, surviving spouses, caregivers, or spouses of veterans or retirees. For more details, visit www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship.
MSAN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, aims to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support. Its Military Spouse Mentorship HUB bridges military families worldwide via a Virtual Education and Resource Center, mentorship program, and leadership development. More information about MSAN is available at www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org.
