AFA Hosts Data Release, Analysis on Military Spouse Wellness

July 21, 2025   |   By Lyndsey Akers

AFA hosted a daylong event dedicated to the analysis and exploration of military and veteran spouse wellness at its headquarters in Arlington, Va., on June 27. The event was centered around the public data release of the “Military Spouse & Veteran Spouse Wellness Survey,” which polled 1,200 spouses of Active-duty and veteran servicemembers to create the first-ever data-driven picture of the military spouse community’s well-being. 

More than 50 guests—including several spouses of members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both past and present—gathered in person while hundreds more tuned in online. The event, entitled “ENGAGE Live Wellness on the Homefront,” was made possible through the support of an AFA United Forces & Families (F2) grant.

The survey was a collaborative research initiative between the University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) and InDependent, a nonprofit run by and for military spouses. The survey results are available online.

Respondents reported moderate overall wellness satisfaction, with an average rating of 6.58 out of 10, but more than 50 percent of respondents experienced some level of anxiety or depression, at two to three times the rate of the general population—and almost a quarter of respondents said accessing mental health care for themselves was a challenge.

More than 50 attendees, including Brig. Gen. Lance C. Raney, Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, and spouses of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended. Photo by Jud McCrehin
Savannah Stephens, the author of AFA’s most recent ENGAGE issue, and Corie Weathers, a military clinical consultant, discuss wellness on the homefront. Photo by Jud McCrehin

During the presentation, the study’s authors said they suspect social isolation contributes to many of the reported problems.

“About 50 percent of participants felt that finding community or friends was the number one challenge that they are currently facing,” said Evie King, president of InDependent. “You can probably start sewing a line through so many areas of wellness where this trend seemed to resonate.”

“We know that this lifestyle is isolating, lonely, it leads to mental health concerns if you’re not supported or even know how to pay attention to your mental health,” said IMVFW director Elisa Borah. “I think that’s where we can make the most impact and improve our programming.”

AFA’s event was about accomplishing exactly this: making the most impact. Beyond the data presentation, attendees were invited to breakout groups to further unpack the survey’s findings and determine how to leverage these insights into actionable strategies. Attendees also received the latest edition of AFA’s family-centered publication, ENGAGE, which further builds on the survey’s findings, personal narratives, and professional insights to catalyze discussion and action around military spouse wellness. The issue is available to read online at afa.org/ENGAGE.