By the Numbers - Apr. 20, 2015
21
The number of the question on the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) that asks applicants for a security clearance if they have consulted with a mental health professional within the previous seven years.
years.
A recent report from the DoD Defense Personnel and Security Research Center (Defense Manpower Data Center) said that Question 21 "currently identifies too many individuals for investigative follow-up who do not have a mental health condition that poses an unacceptable risk," resulting in added administrative burden and investigative costs, "and likely misses other at-risk individuals." The report -- A Relevant Risk Approach to Mental Health Inquiries in Question 21 of the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) -- also indicated that the current wording of this question may discourage potential applicants from seeking needed mental health treatment.
The report "proposes a revised Question 21 based on a 'relevant risk' approach that is based on data, policy, and logic."
Currently, the SF-86 question 21 has this wording:
In the last seven (7) years , have you consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition? Answer 'No' if the counseling was for any of the following reasons and was not court-ordered:
- strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you; or
- strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment
Please respond to this question with the following additional instruction:
Victims of sexual assault who have consulted with the health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition during this period strictly in relation to the sexual assault are instructed to answer No
The report suggests this revision:
21a . Have you ever been diagnosed by a physician or mental health professional with psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar mood disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder?
21b. In the past 7 years, have you been hospitalized for an emotional or mental health condition?
21
The number of the question on the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) that asks applicants for a security clearance if they have consulted with a mental health professional within the previous seven years.
years.
A recent report from the DoD Defense Personnel and Security Research Center (Defense Manpower Data Center) said that Question 21 "currently identifies too many individuals for investigative follow-up who do not have a mental health condition that poses an unacceptable risk," resulting in added administrative burden and investigative costs, "and likely misses other at-risk individuals." The report -- A Relevant Risk Approach to Mental Health Inquiries in Question 21 of the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) -- also indicated that the current wording of this question may discourage potential applicants from seeking needed mental health treatment.
The report "proposes a revised Question 21 based on a 'relevant risk' approach that is based on data, policy, and logic."
Currently, the SF-86 question 21 has this wording:
In the last seven (7) years , have you consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition? Answer 'No' if the counseling was for any of the following reasons and was not court-ordered:
- strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you; or
- strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment
Please respond to this question with the following additional instruction:
Victims of sexual assault who have consulted with the health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition during this period strictly in relation to the sexual assault are instructed to answer No
The report suggests this revision:
21a . Have you ever been diagnosed by a physician or mental health professional with psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar mood disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder?
21b. In the past 7 years, have you been hospitalized for an emotional or mental health condition?
