Date: The Honorable Hillary R. Clinton Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 PETITION: Revised Q21 for the Foreign Service We, the undersigned call on the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton upon assumption into office, to reaffirm that the Department of State strongly endorses the practice of seeking professional help to address all health- related concerns whether mental or physical; to also reaffirm that the Department of State considers it a mark of strength and maturity to seek appropriate healthcare whenever required; and to make clear that seeking professional care for mental health issues in and itself is not a reason to revoke or deny an individual’s security clearance. This is important in the Foreign Service, whose members are exposed to traumatic events with psychological impact not only in conflict zones but also in diplomatic hardship assignments worldwide. Nearly 60% of our Foreign Service personnel are at posts considered by the U.S. Government as "hardship" due to difficult living conditions (for example, violent crime, harsh climate, social isolation, unhealthy air, and/or terrorist threats). Of those hardship posts, half are rated at or above the 15-percent differential level which constitutes great hardship, and where family members are unable to accompany such assignments. In April 2008, the Secretary of Defense has successfully advocated the revision of Question 21 of the SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions, which asks about mental health treatment. The revised question excludes counseling related to marital, family or grief issues, unless related to violence by the applicant/employee. It also rules out counseling for adjustments from service in a military combat environment. The OSD guidance also points out that failure to seek care increases the likelihood that psychological distress could escalate to a more serious mental condition, which could preclude an individual from performing sensitive duties. Your immediate predecessor has not released a similar affirmation to encourage the treatment of PTSD and other related mental health issues. The Concerned Foreign Service Officers has noted “the continued revocations of security clearances based on mental health treatment - a practice that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security routinely perpetuates even after DOD and OPM have agreed not to count certain types of treatment, e.g. for PTSD, against the employee.” The organization of the 21st century will be judged by the wholeness of its people. The first step to getting us there is to help ensure that Foreign Service officers, specialists, and family members and partners obtain the help they need without fear that such consultation/treatment jeopardizes their security clearance and employment.
Sincerely, Employees, Family Members/Partners and Friends of the Foreign Service
Your Name/Signature: Collect five more names/signatures: Signature: ________________________ Signature: _______________________ Signature: ________________________ Signature: _______________________ Signature: ________________________
Office of the Secretary of Defense - Revised Q21 http://www.army.mil/docs/OSD_Guidance_on_Revised_Q21.pdf Concerned Foreign Service Officers Warning On Mental Health Treatment http://www.emaxhealth.com/7/11720.html Foreign Service Journal January 2008: Focus on PTSD and the Foreign Service http://www.afsa.org/fsj/2008.cfm Executive Order 10450 http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/10450.html Executive Order 12968 http://www.opm.gov/extra/investigate/eo12968.asp
MAIL TO: Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520