A friend on mine (in another service) ask a question that i didnt have the answer to so here it is:
He believes that one of the junior guys in his squad is having issues and may benifit from seeing a psychologist / psychiatrist. Now the problem that arises is that he was told that if this guy in his squad goes to one, it can be a sign of mental instability, and would loose his clearance (hence the question on a SF-86 that asks if you have been to a mental health professional).
Now the questions are:
1: Is this true? 2: Does it depend on the issues? 3: Are the regs different between the services? 4: What happens if the Doc prescribes some type of medication? 5: Where are the actual regulations written so I can refrence them to him?
If anyone has had any experience or examples they would be appreciated.
1. yes 2. yes 3. no, it is a matter of Presidental Directives 4. It must be reported. In 90%+ of cases, it would be a follow up report. In your example, it is highly likly that the simple fact that you buddy believes a member is having issues that may be helped by a shrink is reportable. 5. PERSONNEL SECURITY AND SUITABILITY PROGRAM. COMDTINST M 5520.12C. Enclosure 5 is the White House Memo I mentioned in answer 3 that lists all potential derogatory info / concerns. Guideline I is specific to what you asked.
All above are required knowledge IAW 7.D.03 of the OS EPQs.
There is another avenue to take to actually see what kind of help he needs. I don't know about other services, especially since you didn't state what service he is in, but I would hope they have some sort of EAP program. You can talk to a consoler for up to 6 sessions and it doesn't cost you a dime. Many of these consolers just happen to be "shrinks" or can refer him/her to what ever help he/she might need. Sometimes just having this person to talk to can help alot. Plus, it's confidential and itn't with a civ. If I could guess I would say that your "friend" who thinks he's junior memeber needs a shrink isn't qualified to make that determination. Therefor if the junior memeber is asking for help, direct him to someone who is qualified to get him the help he needs.
SB: Doesn't EAP counslers fall under the category of a "mental health professional"? (especially if they are shrinks)
If this is the case, then it would still have to be disclosed to that persons security center (or whatever the USMC has) as well as stated on the next sf-86 the person fills out.
I'l throw in another thing here too. We don't report things to SECCEN only when they are REALLY REALLY BAD or when we want to take away clearances. Any info that may be bad, or even questionable goes up and in that big file. Many things (as you can tell by the WH memo) are absoloutely no problem on their own. Once 2, 8, 14 or 20 little things pile up, which supervisor A may not know about person B, then there may be issues.
Most important however, regardless of holding a security clearance or not, is being healthly. Not seeking help for fear of losing a clearance is not a great idea. And will most likely lead to larger issues.
All are also very correct. To clear up some of what I stated before, these are all things that can help the memeber. When a member request to go to EAP, he does not have to tell anyone why. If then EAP refers him out to a "shrink" then the supervisor needs to at that point document it. Remember if someones going to EAP it doesn't mean their crazy.
Most important however, regardless of holding a security clearance or not, is being healthly. Not seeking help for fear of losing a clearance is not a great idea. And will most likely lead to larger issues.
Very true. It's important to note that security clearances have requirements for a reason. If you think something could affect their eligibilty to hold a security clearance its your duty to report that information.
1) Get healthy, mentally and physically. I had a number of people that worked for me during my career that were afraid to seek help for mental problems for fear of losing their clearance. "White knuckling" it works for a while, but eventually your friend will have to seek help if he truly has a mental health disorder.
2) Tell SECCEN everything. Do not try to hide or gloss over anything. I know two people that work at SECCEN and both tell me the worse thing you can do is to not report it. For many mental disorders you can still keep your clearance and stay in the CG (i.e. depression). Just DO NOT lie about it.
3) Get healthy. I know I said this once, but it is the most important thing!
Great points. To bolster your thoughts, I would suggest anyone who hasn't read enclosure 5 to the ref above, I suggest you do. You will see in almost every section on mitigation, self reporting is mentioned! Now, self-reporting is not a guaranteed free pass, but it is a HUGE factor in a members favor, and a HUGE hit on the member if not done.
Please, please, please draw his attention to what OS_EastCoast posted. It states, "Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a security clearance." If he does not seek treatment and ends up harming himself or somebody else, then they WILL revoke it. But if he simply seeks therapy, they should not revoke it. On the initial SF-86, as of May 1 (according to this OPM memo I have sitting in front of me), it doesn't even need to be reported on the SF-86 if it was "strictly marital, family or grief not related to violence by you; or strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment."
Hopefully the word gets spread, and members who need it get the help they rightly deserve.
that memo you are reading are the results of PTSM and other things happening and people afraid of loosing their clearances by reporting such on their SF-86. Very true and very useful information to have.
I used to tell my folks to "toughen up, get over it" when they were having problems, i.e. depression etc...well one day out of no where I had a panic attack...me mister tough guy..I had no Idea what I was experiencing. Ever since dealing with it through proffesional help I came to have a whole new outlook/understanding concerning mental health..."Get help"...I had a great command and they knew the kind of person I was, they helped me along the way and I had a TS clearance. Not ashamed..it can happen to anyone..the smart commands/people who make decisions need to ignore any stigmas for those seeking help.
