Comments on: Mental Health?

By: Bethany

Bethany — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:38:55 +0000

I just helped my boyfriend fill one of these out

If you have Never seen a mental health specialist check “No”

If you have seen a mental health specialist for marital, family, or grief counseling, not related to violence by you then check “Yes” and just put the reason as they stated it (marital/family/grief) in the explanation space. (Note: These are usually couple or group counseling sessions)

If you have seen a mental health specialist for reasons other than what they have stated (reasons other than marital/family/grief) then you need to check “Yes” followed by all the information requested in the explanation space. (Note: These are usually one-on-one sessions with you and a mental health specialist)

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:47:04 +0000

They want you to list any and all treatments you have had with mental health professionals that apply to you as an individual. If however you were in either marital or family counseling, you do not need to include that as they could not verify anything since it involves people other than yourself and the therapist could not confirm anything if all people attending did not agree to it.

So, if you went into therapy because you were depressed and had individual sessions, you would need to list those as well as the contact information for the provider or practice you saw. However, if you and your wife went into counseling to work out issues in your marraige, those do not have to be included.

By: GunnyC

GunnyC — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:12:04 +0000

The last one listed is the correct reading of it. People might see a mental health professional for marriage counseling but that would not be a mental health issue but if was because of depression because of marriage problems then it would be a mental health issue. Safer to list and explain then to not list and have it found out later and become as issue then; use the exceptions listed as the only exceptions and then you can look and discuss them. Yes anger management in general and martial problems or counseling based you needing anger management or being violent in the marriage would be. That information is required to be revealed when you are going for a security clearance whether you are military or civilian so you are required to provide it; if you don;t want one then look for a position that does not require that high of a clearance.

By: My Navy Life

My Navy Life — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:04:06 +0000

List them all, any circumstances.

By: kaari

kaari — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:12:01 +0000

I think what it’s saying is suppose you say yes to the first part – â€œIn the last 7 years, have you consulted …” = yes

Then for

“â€œIf you answered “Yes,” provide the dates of treatment …” = here you don’t have to answer if the treatment was due to:

-Marital problem e.g. marital counselling, unless you were violent or abusive and the treatment centred round that.

- Family problem again family therapy, etc unless you were violent.

- Grief counselling e.g. in case you seek help if someone died or for some reason.

But you have to report if you needed help because of some violent behavior, Mood disorders, Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders etc.

By: Net Rider

Net Rider — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:38:29 +0000

First the general answer: the point of a security clearance is for the granting agency to convince itself that there is nothing in your background that can be used to blackmail you or that might prevent you from maintaining the security of any classified information in your possession. As to this question in particular, if it wasn’t for a violent or severe episode, then I would probably omit it. However, if an adjudicating authority might construe the surrounding circumstances as having a negative effect on your maintaining security of classified material, list and explain it.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

By: Mathias Z

Mathias Z — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:37:36 +0000

you only have to say yes if its not grief, marital or family related

By: Nikki

Nikki — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:57:24 +0000

key word: unless

if you want to be completely honest, list anything… you can say

“In full disclosure, I did see a family counselor when my dad died, marriage broke up, (whatever), but that is the ONLY reason I have seen anyone.”

otherwise, if it WAS for marital, family, or grief counseling, not related to violence by you- then you can leave it BLANK.

By: Mack

Mack — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:54:02 +0000

As you put it here if you answered yes and have seen a psycho for marital, family, or grief; I would state yes and one of those statements.

If it is for the other option then you need to put yes and explain in further detail, with the information given. Either way if you explain it out fully that wouldn’t hurt.

By: 3595

3595 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:04:19 +0000

If you’ve seen a psychologist or mental health professional for a reason that wasn’t related to marital problems, family, or grief, then list it. If it was marital, family, or grief counselling, still answer “yes” but you don’t need to provide any further info.