Question 21

“In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.) or have you consulted with another health care provider about a mental health related condition? If you answered “Yes,” provide the dates of treatment and the name and address of the therapist or doctor below…”

This is one of the questions on Standard Form 86, the security clearance questionnaire for national security positions. It is used as a basis for granting access to classified government information and determining one’s allegiance and suitability for such sensitive positions.

But, until recently, Question 21 above posed a morale dilemma for many Soldiers about whether or not to seek the help they sorely needed.

It’s no secret (pun intended) that war affects people in different ways. Some are able to take the cruelty and ugliness of war and push it down deep within themselves and find a way to forget or deal with the harsh realities of combat. For some, those experiences translate into nightmares, isolationism, grief, and depression. There’s no doubt that everyone is affected by the grim events that combat pushes upon us. The problem arises when one needs mental counseling to deal with those problems but is worried about the consequences of seeking that needed help.

It used to be that one could answer “No” to question 21 only if the counseling he/she sought was related to non-violent marital issues or grief counseling due to the loss of a loved one or recovering from a recent near-death experience. Seven years into constant combat, the Pentagon is committed to ensuring servicemembers seek, and get, the mental health assistance they need - without worrying about the consequences of losing their job or clearance.

“It’s time we made everyone in uniform aware that the act of reaching out for help is, in fact, one of the most courageous acts,” said Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “It’s one of the first big steps to reclaiming your military career, your life, and your future,” he continued.

The problem now becomes one of leadership. Leaders must lead from the front and ensure that their Soldiers get the help they need. We must make them understand that they risk nothing by seeking needed help, but have much to gain. It is imperative that we remove the stigma attached to seeking mental counseling. The most effective way to do that, as leaders, is to lead by example. When Soldiers see that we are willing to seek the help WE need, they will follow.

A few days ago, I sent out an email to all my Soldiers with this information. I encouraged them to conduct a self evaluation and decide for themselves if they are truly okay. Deployments are not easy and the situations we encounter are harrowing. I told them that “YOU are more important than this Army!” I meant it. Admiral Mullen said that it’s important to recognize the toll these wars are taking inside our minds as well as outside our bodies.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted that this represents a significant change in policy. It’s “an effort to try and remove the stigma of a psychological wound of war” Gates told the Pentagon Channel last week.

According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a lot of military and DOD civilians are not seeking help for mental health related issues. My whole military career, it’s drilled into us that to maintain our security clearance we need to avoid so much as a speeding ticket! Early in my career when Emily and I were having marriage issues, I didn’t even want to seek counseling to help my marriage because I was afraid of losing my job. Without a clearance, I can’t perform my mission.

Today’s servicemembers no longer need to worry about it. The Pentagon leadership has realized how important it is for troops to seek help. Getting the counseling one needs is finally seen as a strength instead of a weakness. Leaders need to get behind this change, inform their troops, and support their decisions to seek help.

The change will apply not only to military and civilian employees of the Defense Department but also to all applicants for security clearances. The revised form allows applicants to respond “no” as to whether they have sought mental health care over the past seven years, if that care was not court-ordered and was “strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.” It’s still not perfect, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

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