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Counseling and careers

Military sexual assault victims have a problem with Question 21 on the form to apply for a national security clearance.

It asks whether the applicant has had mental health counseling in the past seven years. Those who have had some for post-combat adjustment, grief, family issues or marital matters do not have to list that counseling.

Congress passed that exemption three years ago to reduce the stigma attached to mental health counseling and the perception that it could threaten a career.

The exclusion for some inexplicable reason does not include sexual assault victims. A sexual-assault victim must provide details of the attack, which is to relive the pain and trauma. And possibly be denied a security clearance. If she denies being a victim for any reason — whether to avoid reliving the pain or out of concern it could harm her professionally — and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management finds out she lied, she definitely will be denied clearance. The truth is that admitting to having received mental health counseling can ruin a career if an applicant is denied clearance.

There are legitimate reasons to screen applicants for any mental health problem that might pose a security risk. But just as some applicants who have received counseling would be highly qualified for a clearance, some who have not received counseling nevertheless have mental health issues that, if known, likely would disqualify them for a clearance.

In fairness and in the interest of the most effective possible screening, all security clearance applicants should undergo some form of mental health evaluation that avoids needless reliving of traumatic events.

Sadly, the numbers of post-traumatic stress disorder cases and sexual assaults reported in the ranks are skyrocketing. There should be no shame, stigma or threat to a career for getting help for any mental health condition.