For too long, service members and veterans have been told, both silently and explicitly, that admitting to mental health challenges was a liability. Admitting that you have a ‘weakness’ or a ‘vulnerability’ makes you a threat to your organization. The fear that therapy might cost you your security clearance kept many suffering in silence.
But here’s the truth: seeking help is not just okay, it can actually protect your mission and your clearance.
Stigma vs. Strength: A Personal Mission
I’ve wrestled with the idea that mental health struggles are signs of weakness for as long as I can remember. Perhaps it is toxic masculinity, but as many veterans do, I chose to hide my ‘issues’ while I was actively serving, or at least some of the time.
During my career, about 7-8 years in (2011), I started to notice a change when it came to mental health, and how it was perceived in the service. This was also around the time that there were a lot of problems in the recruitment field due to harsh working conditions. Things continued to change, and at times, felt like they were on the right path.
Here’s what I’ve learned: acknowledging trauma, talking about it, and seeking support are acts of courage. They’re not weaknesses; they’re part of the warrior ethos.
By taking that step, you’re not only protecting yourself, but you’re upholding the kind of resilience and judgment that clearance holders must embody. That’s right, clearance holders are caring and working on their mental health. Crazy right? (Pun intended)
What the DoD Actually Says
The Department of Defense and its security arm, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, have made their position clear: mental health care is not a disqualifier for security clearance.
- Dr. Michael Priester, chief psychologist of DCSA’s Behavioral Science Branch, emphasizes that “seeking behavioral health care… You can do so without fear this will impact your ability to hold a security clearance.” He explains that in over 7.7 million cases reviewed between 2013 and 2023, none of the denials or revocations were for seeking care alone..
- In a 2022 Army article: “Security clearances are not denied for seeking help. Pro-actively seeking counseling is a positive indicator… Less than 1% of security clearances are denied or revoked due to psychological concerns. Clearances are more likely to be denied due to excessive debt, substance misuse, violent acts, sexual misconduct, arrests and security violations.”
- The SF-86 form itself states explicitly that “mental health treatment and counseling, in and of itself, is not a reason to revoke or deny eligibility for access to classified information or for holding a sensitive position, suitability or fitness to obtain or retain Federal or contract employment, or eligibility for physical or logical access to federally controlled facilities or information systems. Seeking or receiving mental health care for personal wellness and recovery may contribute favorably to decisions about your eligibility.”
- Executive Order 12968 reinforces that no negative inference may be drawn solely from mental health counseling, calling voluntary treatment a sign of reliability and responsibility.
- DoD leaders, like Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, continue to reinforce the message: “Mental health is health, period. We must do more … to end the stigma … Seeking help decreases the likelihood of psychological stress escalating.”
Reality: It Isn’t the Stigma It Used to Be
For decades, the belief that talking about mental health would end a military career, ruin chances for a clearance, or ostracize you from your team wasn’t unfounded. Again, that stigma that we have been battling against has been invading our teams, offices, and organizations for years. Service members saw leaders quietly moved out of jobs, colleagues denied opportunities, or peers sidelined after admitting to struggles. Even though official policy often said otherwise, the culture always told us a different story.
That legacy continues to linger. Service Members and Veterans learn to compartmentalize, to “suck it up,” and to treat silence as survival. For many, the calculation felt simple: If I say something, I risk everything. If I stay quiet, at least I’m safe. We minimize our struggles, quietly struggle in the shadows, and hope that we are strong enough to fight against the darkness alone.
But today, the data tells a very different story. In over 7.7 million clearance decisions since 2013, not one was denied solely for seeking mental health care. That’s not a rumor. This is a fact, backed by the DCSA. The Navy Times recently reported that across more than a decade, there hasn’t been a single case of someone losing or being denied a clearance just because they went to therapy.
According to Dr. Michael Priester, the Chief Psychologist of the Adjudication and Vetting Services of the Behavioral Science Branch, “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.”
So why does the stigma still feel so strong?
- History lingers: Many of us served in an era when “mental health” was whispered, not spoken. It was seen as a weakness or a liability, and certainly not part of readiness. Those experiences shaped how we still view the system today.
- Peer culture: In the military, there’s pride in toughness and resilience. Admitting to trauma or anxiety once felt like betraying that warrior identity. Old habits die hard; even after policies change.
- Mistrust of the system: Veterans often believe that what the policy says and how it’s applied aren’t the same. Even if DoD publishes guidance, we’ve all seen how things play out differently in practice.
- Fear of the unknown: For many, clearance adjudication is a black box. The less you understand it, the easier it is to assume the worst.
- The result is that stigma today isn’t built on current facts; it’s built on cultural memory and institutional mistrust. And that’s why this message is so important: The system has evolved, and so should our approach.
- DoD leaders now explicitly say that seeking counseling demonstrates good judgment, and the very trait that clearances depend on. As Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin put it: “Mental health is health, period. Seeking help decreases the likelihood of psychological stress escalating.”
The bottom line: What might have cost you your future 20 years ago will protect it today.
Why Veterans Should Speak Up
This isn’t just about red tape. This is about self-preservation and mission readiness. Silence doesn’t protect you; more so, it endangers you. Unchecked trauma can affect judgment, trust, and reliability, which just happen to be the same pillars that determine clearance.
Choosing treatment shows foresight and strength. It protects your mental health and your future.
At the heart of this message is a personal one: I know what it feels like to wonder if telling the truth will cost everything you’ve worked for.
But here’s what actually happens:
- Counseling is encouraged, not penalized.
- Seeking help is a clear positive, not a liability.
- Stigma has no place when your resilience is your true credential.
You’re not alone; you’re not broken, and admitting you need help isn’t a sign of failure. However, it is the first step toward healing.
