[Editor’s Note:  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health, which is an important part of a person’s overall health.]
 
It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population), according to the National Institutes of Health.  Of this population, just over half received mental health treatment, NIH noted, often due to the stigma associated with mental health.
 
When applying for a security clearance, one might think having a mental health condition would be an automatic disqualifier. But that is not the case and it is a point that the Behavioral Science Branch (BSB) in Adjudication and Vetting Services (AVS) has been trying to myth bust for the past several years.
 
“Everyone fills out the SF86 and will answer the screening questions on mental or behavioral health issues,” said Dr. Michael Priester, AVS BSB chief psychologist. “Those who have a reportable condition or behaviors of concern may have an investigator interview them about their condition and may be asked for their mental health provider’s name so that an investigator can follow up with the provider. However, an individual’s mental health only affects clearance eligibility to the extent that their condition or behaviors of concern affect their judgment, reliability, stability and overall trustworthiness.
 
“The best way to demonstrate good judgment and reliable behavior is to seek evaluation and treatment if you feel you have mental health concerns,” Dr. Priester continued. “Just as you would seek care if you had a physical issue, you should seek mental health care when necessary. This is evidence of good judgment.”
 
Since consolidation, adjudication services has responded to DoD stakeholder requests for information to dispel the common belief that a loss of eligibility was common when a cleared individual sought behavioral health. AVS’s efforts have significantly intensified since 2022, with their adjudicative leaders and psychologists briefing at industry conferences and hosting informational webinars.
 
“One of the aims of our destigmatization program is to ensure that cleared individuals and candidates for eligibility recognize that people are not losing or failing to gain clearance eligibility due to mental health issues,” said Dr. Priester, noting that this is done by discussing denials and revocations for Adjudicative Guideline I, Psychological Conditions. 
 
As Dr. Priester explained, in an 11-year period between 2012-2023, AVS made 7.7 million adjudicative actions. Of those actions, approximately 142,000 included Guideline I concerns. Of those concerns, 1,165 people received a denial or revocation for psychological concerns and another adjudicative concern. However, only 178 people in 11 years received a statement of reasons/letter of determination for Guideline I only and of those, none lost clearance eligibility solely for seeking mental health treatment.
 
"Bottom line, anyone who has mental health concerns should understand that it is exceedingly rare for mental health conditions alone to result in a denial or revocation of eligibility,” said Priester.
 
The DCSA AVS psychologists also provide training and education to stakeholders regarding its destigmatizing efforts. You can find more information on the agency external website.  For more details or if you have a question, send an email to: dcsa.meade.caf.mbx.comms@mail.mil.