DoD, OPM and OMB have approved a revision to a widely used national security clearance questionnaire, SF-86, regarding mental and emotional health counseling in the hope of removing a possible deterrent to candidates seeking out treatment.
The revised question, #21, states, "Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a clearance." In asking whether a candidate has consulted with a mental care professional in the past seven years, it advises them to answer "no" if treatment was not court ordered and strictly marital, family, or grief-related, or strictly related to service in a military combat environment.
The question instructs candidates answering, "yes" to indicate who conducted the treatment or counseling and sign an authorization for release under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
OPM said the revised question would apply government-wide to everyone completing a SF-86 form.
