The State of Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness: Insights from the MVSWS
What the Data Tells Us About Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness
Military and veteran spouses face unique challenges that can impact every aspect of wellness, from emotional health and social connection to employment, caregiving, and financial well-being. But to create programs and policies that truly support spouses, we first need to understand their experiences. Findings from the inaugural Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey provide one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the state of military and veteran spouse wellness nationwide.
Join Dr. Elisa Borah and Dr. Katherine Gower from the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness as they share key findings from the survey, discuss emerging trends in spouse wellness, and explore how research can inform meaningful change for military and veteran families. The presenters will also discuss the newly launched survey and how spouses and community members can help ensure military and veteran spouse voices are heard.
Whether you’re a spouse, partner, veteran, service member, provider, or community advocate, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the strengths, challenges, and needs shaping military and veteran spouse wellness today.
About the Speaker
Dr. Elisa Borah is the Director of the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness and Moritz Center for Societal Impact at The University of Texas at Austin and founder of the Veteran Spouse Network. As a veteran spouse herself, Dr. Borah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work advancing the health and well-being of military and veteran families. Her work focuses on research, education, and community-based solutions that strengthen support systems and improve outcomes for military and veteran spouses, service members, veterans, and their families.
Dr. Katherine Gower is a Research Associate with the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness whose work focuses on military and veteran family well-being, community-based research, and the development of evidence-informed programs and interventions. She played a key role in the design, implementation, and analysis of the Military & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey and is committed to translating research into practical insights that improve outcomes for military and veteran spouses and their families.
What You’ll Gain
- A clearer picture of the wellness trends shaping the military and veteran spouse community today.
- Greater awareness of the challenges and strengths of military and veteran spouses across the country.
- A better understanding of why spouse-focused research matters and how it drives meaningful change.
- A chance to participate in the current Military and Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey.
This Event is Open To
This event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.
About EmpowerEd
EmpowerEd offers expert-led, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information, practical tools, and trusted resources.
Most sessions are followed by an optional peer support event, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect, connect, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar.
Take the First Step Toward Improving Your Wellness–Sign up Today!
Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.
