MILITARY SPOUSE ADVOCACY NETWORK INTRODUCES A NEW MENTAL HEALTH ALLY CERTIFICATION FOR MEMBERS

    SAN ANTONIO, TX, July 16, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In celebration of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Military Spouse Advocacy Network proudly announces the debut of a new Mental Health Ally Certification, presented by USAA, created exclusively for eligible MSAN members through our trusted partner, Psych Hub.

This exciting new initiative follows certification previously granted only to MSAN volunteers. Now, in alignment with the organization's mission, we are empowering more military spouses even further by offering this certification to active participants of MSAN's mentorship program.

There are six requirements to obtain the Mental Health Ally Certification, including joining and participating in the Mentorship HUB and actively communicating with an assigned MSMP mentor. For more details about eligibility, lessons learned and to be paired with a mentor, review the list at https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/mentorship-hub.

MSAN pioneered and continuously provides a structured and personal approach through a one-of-a-kind peer-to-peer mentorship experience within our proprietary Membership HUB, available 24/7. A recent member survey revealed that military-connected spouses need more mental health support:

82% of surveyed members said the challenges that they've encountered as a military spouse have affected their mental health or overall wellness.
93% of respondents said military spouses and families need additional mental health support.
96% of respondents said they would benefit from mental health training and resources.

The new mental health ally training better serves MSAN members and helps to address mental health resource shortages. Participants will benefit from Psych Hub's evidence-based professional training, which supports a more compassionate and mentally fit volunteer force. Psych Hub owns a library of over 1,000 digital assets, including short videos, shareable content, and podcasts.

From Verenice Castillo, MSAN Founder & CEO
"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."

About Military Spouse Advocacy Network
Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that aims to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support. MSAN's Military Spouse Mentorship-HUB helps bridge military families from every branch of the Armed Forces and their surrounding communities in locations around the world through a Virtual Education and Resource Center, Military Spouse Mentorship Program, and Leadership Development Program. MSAN's collaborations with official military installations, Department of Defense (DoD) resources, and trusted partner organizations provide a structured and personal approach through a one-of-a-kind peer-to-peer mentorship experience, building long-term connections to local and national resources and expanding the military family sense of community. MSAN strives to improve morale and military retention, increase the utilization of resources, and continue to invest in the communities that our leaders serve.

For more information on MSAN and its programs, visit www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org. Follow MSAN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking, and investment and retirement solutions to more than 13 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served, and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in eight U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs more than 37,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Allen, MSAN Communications & Marketing Director
[email protected]
[email protected]

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