Although seeking mental health support does not pose a risk to obtaining or maintaining a national security clearance, experiencing a mental health crisis may. In fact, seeking support can help resolve underlying mental health issues that may be negatively impacting you, your family, or your career.
Based on data from millions of security investigations at all security levels reviewed by the National Security Agency, disqualification from security clearance based on desire for mental health treatment is highly unlikely. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
Michael Priester, Ph.D. in Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology, says, If they feel they can do so without fear of impacting their ability to maintain confidentiality, they can do so.” DCSA Department of Behavioral Sciences, Adjudication and review services.
“In our conversations with people who have cleared, we encourage them to think of seeking behavioral health care like any other form of health care. If you feel you need care, seek it. Please,” Priester said.
“Early intervention is appropriate when you recognize that there are changes that are negatively impacting your life or the lives of others,” said Air Force Lt. Col. John Butka, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and is deputy director of the Office of Behavioral Health. Ta. Defense Health Agency Clinical Management Team. “The goal of these early interventions is to make small changes before problems occur in family, work, and other important areas of life.”
“As a military man, your job is to care for others,” Dr. Joshua Morganstein wrote in his paper. 2023 video Dispelling the myth that seeking mental health services will affect your security clearance. Morganstein is associate director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and a professor in the university’s psychiatry department.
“A lot of times, it can feel like asking for help may be a sign of weakness,” Morganstein says. “The truth is we need you to be well. We need you to be healthy. We want you to take care of yourself. ” Addressing mental health challenges and difficulties allows service members to “take care of others and prepare for duty.”
Most revoked or denied authorizations are based on other concerns
The DCSA’s mission is to ensure that recipients of Department of Defense security clearances are “trustworthy, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and have full and unwavering loyalty to the United States.” Analyzed over 7.7 million cases Surveyed from 2013 to 2023. Only 0.01% of cases that resulted in refusal or revocation were due to psychological health or other conditions.
“Our findings continue to show that harmful behaviors are rarely caused solely by psychological conditions,” Priester said.
“Our data shows that even if you have symptoms that require reporting to security, there is a strong chance that you will achieve or maintain qualification, especially if you follow medical recommendations. “This is a strong support for the point that it is high,” the priest said.
“Most notably, not a single case resulted in a denial or revocation for the sole purpose of seeking behavioral health care,” he said. Of the 1,165 cases that resulted in a denial or revocation of a permit, none of the decisions were solely about seeking mental health care, and none were based on one or more other concerns. Data last updated on April 27, 2024.
mental health and stigma
Although the stigma associated with seeking mental health help persists within the military, efforts are underway to reduce that stigma.
“Studies have found a correlation between perceived stigma and care-seeking. Higher levels of stigma appear to reduce people’s willingness to seek care,” Batka said. said. “Don’t wait too long to address issues that may require behavioral health resources.”
“Those who may need to seek clearance status in the future should seek behavioral health care if necessary,” Priester advised.
Priester also believes that recent changes to the Department of Defense’s two security clearance forms have reduced the stigma surrounding mental health care, and that presentations by the DCSA to other organizations have made reporting requirements clearer. . Priester recently gave a presentation to non-governmental mental health professionals at the American Psychological Association.
The D.O.D. Standard Form 86 Questionnaire — A long and very detailed national security clearance form — A new form introduced in November 2023 is called the Personnel Review Questionnaire. The new form limits questions about psychological and emotional health to hospitalizations and treatments within the past five years, rather than the “have you ever…” question included in the old form.
“We often hear from supervisors and security managers that people who report situations and circumstances that fall under the guidelines are less concerned about their security clearance status,” Priester said.
resource
DCSA provides electronic training to government-affiliated psychologists and psychiatrists who conduct specific security-focused assessments.
In our latest webinar, Mental Health and National Security Qualificationsheld on May 7, 2024, and archived at. Security Excellence Development Center Website. The webinar includes Mr. Priester’s presentation on “Destigmatizing Mental Health Care for Qualified Professionals.”
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions about DCSA Details of the investigation and subsequent actions will be detailed. DCSA Human resources security program Establish criteria, criteria, and guidelines on which to base employee security eligibility determinations.
When it comes to mental health, Batka said, “The key is matching those needs to the right person.” These include:
