Page 355 - Total War on PTSD

I have seen a number of individuals working “desk jobs” but in extraordinarily stressful environments. The resultant “coping” mechanisms are the same.
When a client is involved in drug or alcohol abuse, we have no choice but to send them somewhere to get help. But for those who haven’t started abusing alcohol or drugs, but who are clearly under an enormous amount of stress day-in and day-out, I have to have the candid conversation about seeking professional help.
Why do these individuals not seek help on their own? Why don’t they see a counselor or mental health profession?
“Stigma," they’ll say.
Stigma from what?
They’ll respond with, “The assumption that something is wrong with me.”
Who’s making that assumption?
“Friends. Colleagues. Loved ones. The government — and I’ll lose my clearance,” — is the conclusion they’ll draw.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
I am not going to discuss what your friends or family may think about getting mental health treatment. And, to be frank, that is a personal matter that not “everyone” needs to know. So, the notion that people will think less of “you” is simply not true because you need NOT tell them. In other words: your business is your business.
Second, when it comes to obtaining a government job or a security clearance, the notion that seeing a mental health professional will harm your ability to get the job or clearance is absolutely false. I know the rumors because when I served in the government, I heard the same thing. The common belief was that anyone who seeks
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