The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) announced that the Psych Hub Mental Health Ally Certification, sponsored by USAA, will officially join the catalog of its Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS). This addition comes after MSAN experienced unprecedented growth in 2025 following the launch of LIMS, and aims to further empower military spouses through self-paced, on-demand training.
MSAN pioneered a structured, personal approach via its proprietary Membership HUB, offering peer-to-peer mentorship. The organization now expands its impact by incorporating the mental health ally certification, which provides evidence-based training to address mental health resource shortages. According to MSAN survey results from the 2025 cohort, 83% of participants reported that challenges encountered as a military spouse affected their mental health or overall wellness. However, 97% of those who completed the coursework 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 & 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.' Castillo added that hosting the training within LIMS provides military spouses a broader journey full of opportunities, and expressed gratitude for USAA's partnership.
The Mental Health Allyship training leverages Psych Hub's library of over 1,000 digital assets, including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts. Eligible participants include 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. More details about eligibility and lessons learned are available at leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/mental-health-allyship.
MSAN is a 501c3 nonprofit that aims to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support. Its Military Spouse Mentorship-HUB bridges military families from every branch and surrounding communities worldwide via a Virtual Education and Resource Center, mentorship program, and leadership development. The organization collaborates with official military installations, Department of Defense resources, and trusted partners to build long-term connections and expand the military family sense of community. For more information on MSAN and its programs, visit militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org.
The Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) empowers military spouses to become influential community leaders and change-makers through dedicated training and support. The institute aims to cultivate an alumni network of engaged spouses who drive positive change in their communities. For more information on LIMS and its programs, visit leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org.
