Mental health clearance Published June 8, 2015 By Senior Airman Alexander H. Bray 17th Medical Group GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- At a training base for intelligence career field students, security clearances are a big deal. Many man hours and a lot of money go into clearing a service member. Due to the fact that many service members on Goodfellow Air Force Base require top secret classified information clearances, members are often worried about seeking mental health services. They fear it may cause their clearance to be either put on hold or denied. A past or present mental health issue is not, by itself, a disqualifying condition for a final security clearance. To obtain a security clearance your strength of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion and sound judgment are being looked at. The Mental Health Clinic receives feedback from members stating that they would have come in sooner if they had known our privacy practices. Many leaders would rather have their member seek help when a problem first begins rather than have a lone-wolf troop continually having crises and issues. As said in the Air Force, “Never leave an Airman behind.” There is no expectation for any service member to walk through hardship alone. Goodfellow has many resources available for people experiencing any type of distress. The Mental Health Clinic is here to help, not here to take away clearances, jobs, privacy or independence. We’ve all heard the briefings, seen the PowerPoint presentations, watched the videos and completed the computer based training. So if you need help, get help. There is no benefit for not seeking the appropriate resources when times get tough. It can be more of a risk if you don’t seek services. Your issues may worsen and begin to interfere with your personal life and/or your career. If you have a situation and don’t know where to go, call the Mental Health Clinic at 325-654-3122. If there is another resource that can better serve your needs, the Mental Health Clinic will get you connected with them so that you can get the help that you need. Other resources available: Military Family Life Consultant: 325-654-3893 Military One Source: 800-342-9647 Chaplain: 325-654-3424 Military Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)