New York: Harper & Row. In recent years the guideline has been updated to clarify that seeking mental health counseling is not a disqualifying factor for a security clearance. The security concern arises when the possibility of future unreliable or dysfunctional behavior is indicated by either abnormal behavior or the opinion of a qualified mental health practitioner. Repetitive worrying or recurrent or persistent thoughts that cause anxiety or distress; recurrent nervousness, restlessness, or hyperactivity that impairs function or performance. Some of the more specific circumstances that may be disqualifying under these guidelines include the following: The potential security significance of a psychological condition depends upon how it affects the subject's judgment, reliability or trustworthiness, its severity (intensity and duration of symptoms), whether there has been appropriate treatment or whether the condition is typically responsive to treatment, and the judgment of a qualified mental health consultant about possible recurrence and what else might happen in the future. Executive Order 12968, dated August 4, 1995, states that "no negative inference concerning eligibility for access to classified information may be made solely on the basis of mental health counseling." Question 21 specifically asks if the person requesting the clearance has in the last seven years consulted with a mental health professional--and if so-dates, names and addresses are required. 2. Guideline I (Psychological Conditions) of the “Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information” is one of the least understood criteria for being granted a security clearance. No Current Problem:  This mitigating condition is used when the adjudicator or a duly qualified mental health professional determines that the reported information is not really a security concern. The applicant has displayed dysfunctional or abnormal behavior, and the applicant refuses to seek treatment or refuses to undergo medical evaluation. This can result in willful or negligent compromise of classified information, violence, sabotage, or espionage. However if information is developed during an investigation that unlisted mental health treatment is relevant, information about the treatment can be pursued. strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment. Yes, a full scope background will look into your medical and mental health, but it’s important to dispel any false notions and much of the misinformation out there. suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.”1 Nearly two-thirds of these people do not seek treatment; some because of the stigma that is associated with mental health treatment.2Mental health issues can adversely affect an individual’s eligibility for a federal security clearance, but many clearance applicants worry unnecessarily and sometimes choose not to seek treatment due to fears that it could result in th… Emotionally stable and well-adjusted individuals generally respond to these experiences in positive ways: by learning from them, adjusting their expectations, working harder, or sticking with their core values. (a) behavior that casts doubt on an individual's judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness that is not covered under any other guideline, including but not limited to emotionally unstable, irresponsible, dysfunctional, violent, paranoid, or bizarre behavior; (b) an opinion by a duly qualified mental health professional that the individual has a condition not covered under any other guideline that may impair judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness; (c) the individual has failed to follow treatment advice related to a diagnosed emotional, mental, or personality condition, e.g., failure to take prescribed medication. d. Provide easy access to a continuum of counseling support to include prevention, early intervention, and treatment to enhance coping and build resilience. Many skilled trades earn more than the national average income and don't require a bachelor's degree. Almost no one has lost a clearance for having a behavioral health diagnosis. . Seeks revenge for any real or imagined wrongs. Some psychiatric medications can have side effects that are relevant to security concerns and may require careful monitoring, particularly since different individuals react to psychiatric medication in different ways. When there is a “yes” to the first question, the applicant is usually required to complete an INV Form 16A, Specific Medical Release, which is used to obtain more detailed information regarding medication, other treatment, test results, and medical opinions regarding health, recovery and/or rehabilitation. ... clearance and appears in some Government record systems. In many cases, such a denial is subject to challenge. Dishonorable discharge from the military. Pattern of lying, misrepresentation, gross exaggeration, or failure to follow through on promises or commitments. If such a condition has not been resolved within six months, however, this suggests the possibility of a longer term condition. In a word – yes. One of the biggest reasons Warfighters hesitate to seek professional mental health care is the commonly held misunderstanding that getting such assistance could impact their security clearances. All rights reserved. If necessary a security adjudicator will consult with a qualified government mental health practitioner, and if any doubt remains about an applicant’s reliability, the applicant can be required to undergo a medical evaluation by a psychiatric consultant. See the article entitled Mental Health and Interim Security Clearances. Psychological Conditions and Security Clearances, How a Prior Enlisted Munitions Specialist Became President of a Major Franchise Brand, 3 Ways the Pandemic Makes Things Better for Job Seekers, Why Some Veterans Should Consider Trade School Instead of College, Sign up for a free Military.com membership, What Veterans Can Do to Be Valuable to Job Recruiters and More Satisfied as Civilians, This Nonprofit Places Veterans in Jobs Using More Than Just a Resume. Some conditions are unrelated to security issues and others can be mitigated by ongoing treatment or other factors. They may harm the organization by actions that run the gamut from absenteeism to self-serving decisions, theft, fraud, sabotage, or espionage. There are two types of clearances: Personnel ... mental health counseling, alcohol-related incidents and counseling, military service, prior clearances … This policy is restated in slightly different words in Guideline I and on the Standard Form 86—SF86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions). If you want a copy of your mental health records sent to another provider: Download and complete the Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information (Mental Health Record) by MIT Medical. Mental health is a security concern because it influences how a person perceives the world, makes decisions, and manages stress. Pattern of doing whatever feels good at the moment, without regard for duties or obligations, or without regard for the long-term consequences for self or others. "I was the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being... Get special job alerts, offers and insider tips on making the most of your military experience in the civilian workforce. As stated earlier, the existence of a psychological condition does not preclude the granting of a security clearance. ). Marital problems may be a security concern if they are caused by alcohol, drugs, financial irresponsibility, certain types of sexual behavior, or any other behavior that would be of concern independent of the marital issues. Of the 150,000 security clearance applications processed each year by the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) only 5 applicants were denied clearances in 2009 by Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals Administrative Judges because of Psychological Conditions. Search the largest free Veteran Job board to find jobs with veteran-friendly companies. The fact that … The adjudicator also needs to know if family or marital counseling resulted in (1) prescribed medication that affects mental or emotional functions, (2) referral for additional evaluation or treatment, or (3) a diagnosis of any mental or emotional condition. . It shows that an individual is aware of the problem and trying to deal with it. The field of psychopharmacology is highly technical and is evolving as a result of ongoing and new research. Information for a formal diagnosis may not be available if the individual withholds information for fear it would put his or her security clearance at risk. However, life is not that simple. Has subject ever failed or refused to take the medication? If so, describe the nature of the condition and the extent and duration of the impairment or treatment. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that healthcare organizations maintain the privacy and security of mental health information. History of violent or abusive behavior toward spouse, children, elders, or work associates. 195 Mental Health Security Specialist jobs available on Indeed.com. The following list provides examples of some of the most commonly observed clinical indicators of a possible mental health problem. Get a FREE assessment. Copyright © 2010 Last Post Publishing. For JDog Brands' Dana Forester, turning veteran into business owners is more than a job. Eliminating negative stereotypes Service members, contractors and civilians are often required to have a security clearance, so the department has taken actions to eliminate negative stereotypes about psychological health problems and any impact of treatment on your career. There are a number of other observable behaviors that relate to issues under Personal Conduct as well as the Psychological Conditions guideline. The fact that an individual has had, or continues to have, an emotional, mental, or psychological condition does not, by itself, preclude granting access to classified information. Related: Unleash your career potential and get customized job recommendations based on your military experience and personality traits. Having a successful career in the military is a major accomplishment. Overreaction to criticism, responding with anger even to constructive and well-intentioned criticism. Professional Opinion: This mitigating condition is used when a duly qualified mental health professional determines that a known previous condition is now under control or in remission and has a low probability of recurrence or becoming worse. Clinical Indicators of a Potential Emotional or Mental Problem. “An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans . 1. . Ultimately almost all cases where a final clearance is denied due to psychological conditions involve 1 of the 4 following situations: The federal policy against drawing negative inferences solely on the basis of mental health treatment and the very low denial rates for final clearances do not apply to interim security clearances. Military spouses are making a go of their dream jobs across a wide range of fields. Just like in any other market, a dip in the job market can create opportunities. Military and civilian personnel on tours in combat areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan have been subjected to extreme stress that often requires some form of mental health counseling, and this does not need to be reported on the security questionnaire. “An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans . DoD Instruction 6490.06, dated April 21, 2009, specifies responsibilities and procedures for implementing DoD policy to: a. Temporary Condition: Traumatic personal circumstances often cause a temporary condition that requires some counseling or treatment but is not a security concern. However, they can and should be part of a whole-person evaluation when there is other adverse information about the individual. But if you've been in for more than one tour, your life is about to change substantially. The adjudicator needs to know if the marital or family problem was related to any form of physical abuse, alcohol abuse, drug use, financial irresponsibility, compulsive gambling, irresponsible use of weapons, or any other potentially disqualifying issue. What is a security clearance? Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox. Grossly disorganized behavior and/or speech (e.g., dressing inappropriately, severe neglect in self-care, frequent loose association of thoughts or speech, odd use of words or language structure). Almost no one has lost a clearance … The only time they will ever do that is if there is an issue (mental health treatment for … . However, mental health counseling, where relevant to the adjudication of access to classified information, may justify further inquiry to determine whether the standards of subsection (b) of this section are satisfied, and mental health may be considered where it directly relates to those standards.”. Delusions or false beliefs based on incorrect inferences about reality that are firmly sustained despite evidence to the contrary and lack of corroboration from others. Important questions to be considered when adjudicating a psychological condition being treated by medication include: What symptoms caused the doctor to prescribe medication, or caused the subject to start taking medication on his or her own? 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