New USO of North Carolina program addresses challenges of expecting military spouses

Expecting Spouse Reset to be hosted at Fort Bragg to help military spouses cope with challenges

Fort Bragg, NC – Military spouses expecting a child face higher rates of depression while their partners are deployed. To address the challenges associated with pregnancy and military life, the USO of North Carolina is hosting its first-ever Expecting Spouse Reset program. 50 military spouses will gather at the USO of North Carolina Fort Bragg Center for the day-long session July 17.

Expecting Spouse Reset is a program designed to give expecting military spouses tools to cope with pregnancy and military life. The program includes sessions focused on self-care techniques, family connection, alternative therapy, financial management and more.

“Our nation’s military spouses often serve as the backbone of our military holding down the home front and standing beside their service member,” said Kelli Willoughby, USO of North Carolina vice president of Warrior and Family Programs. “Pregnancy can be a difficult time for any woman, and can be even more difficult with the challenges associated with military life. We look forward to hosting this program and helping to lift up and empower the spouses of those who serve.”

The USO of North Carolina designed the program after a 2019 Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps study based on responses from 397 Fort Bragg military spouses indicated a higher risk of postpartum depression, increased risk of anxiety and stress during pregnancy, and a heightened rate of delivering before reaching full term. Expecting Spouse Reset is a specialized extension of the USO of North Carolina’s Spouse Reset program focused on resiliency, stress management, mentorship and more.

To learn more about the USO of North Carolina’s programs, visit uso-nc.org/programs. Registration is required.

ABOUT THE USO OF NORTH CAROLINA The USO of North Carolina strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Founded in 1941, the USO of NC is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of North Carolinians to support its programs and services. The USO of NC serves the third largest military population in the U.S providing service members and their families nearly 600,000 service connections through education, wellness, transition assistance and resiliency programs across the state. Combined Federal Campaign donors have joined thousands of individual donors, our Chairman’s Leadership Circle partners Harris Teeter and Lowe’s Home Improvement, 4-Star Patriot Circle American Airlines, Bank of America, Community Coffee, USAA and other corporate partners to support the USO of NC and our service members. For more information visit www.uso-nc.org and to donate, visit give.uso-nc.org.