The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2016

32 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Time to Heal and a Place to Thrive One Diplomatic Security special agent offers his own case as a model for successful rehabilitation from mental illness. BY RONALD HOL LOWAY Ronald Holloway, a Diplomatic Security special agent andmember of the Foreign Service from 2002 to 2014, is a foreign affairs officer with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the State Department. The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. government. T here were times when I couldn’t face another day, and all I wanted to do was sleep. There were days when I was so euphoric that I behaved in ways I now consider very embarrass- ing. There were also dark days, when I thought the only way to provide for my family would be for them to col- lect my life insurance. And there was the day when, after my second hospitalization, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I like to think those days are behind me as I successfully manage a mental illness that severely limits the lives of millions of people in the United States. I was fortunate to have support from within my bureau, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, to ensure my successful rehabilitation. I do not know how many in the State Department have an experience with mental illness like mine, but the department should consider my rehab process as a model to be replicated. FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE