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May 05, 2008
Pentagon plans to change mental healthcare disclosure rule for security clearances
The AP (5/1, Jelinek) reports that Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to announce a new policy whereby "U.S. troops won't have to reveal all their mental health counseling when applying for security clearances."
The Pentagon hopes the change "will ease the stigma of seeking help for combat stress." Gates is expected to reveal the policy on Thursday. The current security clearance application "asks applicants whether they have consulted a mental health professional in the past seven years. If so, they are asked to list the names, addresses, and dates they saw the doctor or therapist, unless it was for marriage or grief counseling and not related to violent behavior."
Under the new, "less stringent" rule, "troops would not have to worry about therapy they got for difficulties caused by their wartime tours of duty or other missions, said four officials familiar with the revision."
Related Links:
-"Officials say Pentagon easing security clearance screening," Pauline Jelinek, Washington Post, May 1, 2008.
-"DoD Changes Security Clearance Question on Mental Health," Fred W. Baker III, American Forces Press Service, May 1, 2008.
Posted by admin at May 5, 2008 12:44 PM