THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY AUGUST 2024 21 by engaging with partners across the organization to find effective resolutions to problematic behavior. Individuals can raise these concerns anonymously on the intranet page or by emailing InsiderThreat Reporting@state.gov. FSJ: What services does the State Department provide to support employee and family member mental health? Can you tell us how access to mental health care services works overseas? Who has access to these services at posts? Are the services available to all employees of all agencies at post and their family members? Do locally employed staff also have access to these services? JB: Let’s start by recognizing that asking for help can be hard. I’ve experienced this hesitation myself and shared my experiences of asking for and receiving help during some trying times. I strongly encourage our department family to explore and utilize the mental health care services provided by MED (or by private providers if that is your preference). MED has an expert team of psychiatrists and social workers who are available to anyone under chief of mission authority. Our MED colleagues are there to support us and do so with compassion and understanding. We also have adjusted to ensure that locally employed staff are provided access to the department’s Employee Consultation Services at times of crisis or during acute events. This can include one-on-one counseling or virtual support groups. FSJ: Many FS members express concern that they will lose their security clearance if they seek mental health services. We understand that the security clearance renewal process can be held up for this, which disincentivizes getting help when most necessary. Are these valid concerns? How often does this happen? Can you provide any data on the impact of seeking mental health care on security clearances? JB: Not only is there no shame in asking for help, there is no penalty in the department either. I want to emphasize that getting treatment is a sign of strength, not weakness. Seeking and receiving treatment actually is viewed favorably in the security clearance adjudication process. Undergoing mental health counseling in and of itself is not, and will not be, a reason for a negative security determination—full stop. Like other departments and agencies, State adheres to the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines in determining whether individuals should have access to classified information. These guidelines acknowledge that certain psychological conditions that affect behavior may negatively impact an employee’s ability to protect national security information. If information gathered during an employee’s background investigation indicates that there may be an emotional, mental, or personality condition that could cause a significant security concern—including or emphasized by alcohol and/or substance abuse—DS consults with MED. MED assists the DS adjudicative team by offering a professional medical opinion as to whether the individual has a condition that may impair judgment, stability, reliability, or trustworthiness, particularly in the context of their ability to follow rules and properly safeguard classified or national security information, or to perform sensitive duties. FSJ: As part of the security clearance and renewal processes, does DS have to ask whether someone has sought mental health care, and is DS required to act on “yes” responses? BETHWALROND
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