Mental health is a security concern because it influences how a person perceives the world, makes decisions and manages stress. The fact that an individual has had, or continues to have, an emotional, mental or psychological condition does not, by itself, preclude granting access to classified information. The issue is whether the individual’s condition causes, or may cause, poor judgment or unreliable, untrustworthy or dysfunctional behavior. Certain emotional, mental and personality conditions can impair judgment, reliability or trustworthiness.

A formal diagnosis of a disorder is not required for there to be a concern under this guideline. A qualified mental health professional (e.g., clinical psychologist or psychiatrist) employed or approved by the U.S. Government should be consulted when evaluating potentially disqualifying and mitigating information. Negative inference regarding the standards of this guideline may not be raised solely on the basis of an applicant having sought mental health counseling.

Many people, perhaps most people, experience some form of stress that threatens their self-image at some time in their lives: They experience failure to compete effectively with their peers; perceive injustice at the hands of a supervisor or employing organization; are terminated from a job under circumstances that prompt resentment; feel rejected or betrayed by a spouse; confront serious financial or medical problems; or are tempted by a seemingly easy opportunity for illegal monetary gain.

Emotionally stable and well-adjusted individuals generally respond to these experiences in positive ways; by learning from them, adjusting their expectations, working harder or sticking with their core values. Individuals who are unstable or poorly adjusted, have a significant character weakness or suffer from mental illness may react in ways that are self-destructive, counterproductive or illegal. They may harm the organization by actions that run the gamut from absenteeism to self-serving decisions, theft, fraud, sabotage or espionage.