Guideline E and the Importance of Accurately Reporting Your Mental Health History
In the world of security clearances, honesty is more than a virtue—it’s a core requirement. Many applicants worry that disclosing a history of mental health treatment will result in disqualification. But ironically, it’s often not the condition itself that jeopardizes a clearance—it’s the failure to disclose it.
This is where Adjudicative Guideline E: Personal Conduct comes into play. While mental health concerns are evaluated under Guideline I: Psychological Conditions, issues of candor, integrity, and truthfulness are assessed under Guideline E. And in many cases, it’s this latter category that ultimately causes clearance problems—not the diagnosis or treatment history itself.
If you’ve sought therapy, been prescribed psychiatric medication, or been hospitalized for mental health reasons, this blog will help you understand how to protect your clearance eligibility—not by hiding your past, but by managing it honestly and proactively.
What Is Guideline E (Personal Conduct)?
Guideline E addresses behavior that reflects a lack of integrity, trustworthiness, or adherence to rules. According to the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, Guideline E includes:
“Conduct involving questionable judgment, lack of candor, dishonesty, or unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations can raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.”
Under this guideline, clearance adjudicators look for patterns of dishonesty, omissions, false statements, or rule-breaking behavior. If you lie or mislead investigators—even unintentionally—you may face a Guideline E concern.
When Mental Health Becomes a Guideline E Issue
Mental health history is typically evaluated under Guideline I. But it becomes a Guideline E issue when you fail to disclose information you were required to report—such as counseling, psychiatric hospitalization, or a mental health-related leave of absence.
Here are some common examples:
- Marking “No” on SF-86 Section 21 when you were in outpatient treatment for a mood disorder
- Failing to mention a psychiatric hospitalization or suicide attempt within the past 7 years
- Claiming you haven’t been prescribed psychiatric medication when you have
- Withholding information during a background interview because you were “unsure” if it counted
In many of these cases, the applicant would have been cleared if they had been honest. But by omitting the truth, they raise concerns not only about their psychological status but about their personal conduct—which is much harder to mitigate.
Why Applicants Don’t Disclose Certain Mental Health Information
People generally don’t lie maliciously on the SF-86. More often, they are:
- Embarrassed about seeking help
- Unaware of what they’re supposed to disclose
- Afraid that any disclosure will result in denial
- Told by a provider or friend that they don’t “have to report it”
- Trying to protect their job or clearance by avoiding scrutiny
These fears are understandable—but they’re also misguided. The truth is that seeking mental health care is not disqualifying, but dishonesty often is.
What the Guidelines Actually Say About Mental Health
Here’s a direct quote from the instructions for Section 21 on the SF-86:
“Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a clearance.”
This language is backed by Executive Order 12968, which encourages individuals to seek mental health support without fear of disqualification.
Moreover, SEAD-4 (the current governing directive for clearance adjudications) explicitly instructs adjudicators to weigh mitigating factors, such as:
- The condition is resolved or under control
- The individual is compliant with treatment
- The person has demonstrated reliability and stability
- There is no evidence of impaired judgment or risk
In short, the government wants you to get help. They also want you to be honest about it.
Real-World Consequences of Non-Disclosure
At ClearancePsych, we’ve worked with many individuals whose clearances were jeopardized—not because they were in therapy or took medication—but because they didn’t disclose that information.
One client, for example, had been treated for ‘bipolar disorder’ following a traumatic event. She recovered fully and was no longer in treatment. Thinking the issue was behind her, she marked “No” on Section 21 of her SF-86. Unfortunately, the issue came up during her polygraph. The omission triggered a Guideline E concern, which led to a temporary suspension of her clearance and a psychological evaluation.
Another client was hospitalized for suicidal ideation during college. He didn’t disclose it on his clearance paperwork, assuming that because it had been years ago, it no longer mattered. But investigators obtained hospital records, and the failure to report became the bigger issue.
Both cases could have been easily mitigated had the information been disclosed at the start.
How to Disclose Mental Health History the Right Way
If you’re wondering whether your mental health history could impact your clearance, here’s how to approach disclosure properly:
- Read the SF-86 instructions carefully
Section 21 allows some exemptions (e.g., counseling for grief, marital issues, or combat stress), but most mental health treatment must be disclosed. - Be honest and complete
Err on the side of disclosure. You can always explain the context—but hiding it can trigger deeper review. - Prepare documentation
Letters from providers confirming stability and treatment compliance can be powerful mitigation tools. - Consult with a security-clearance psychologist
At ClearancePsych, we can review your history, clarify what you are required to disclose, and provide mitigation planning if needed.
What If You’ve Already Omitted Information?
If you realize you’ve made a mistake or failed to disclose something on your SF-86:
- Don’t panic, but act quickly.
- Report the omission to your security officer or FSO.
- Consider a psychological consultation to evaluate the impact and begin mitigation.
- Document your stability and candor going forward.
Voluntary correction is often viewed more favorably than waiting until you’re confronted.
Final Thoughts About Disclosing Your Mental Health History
Mental health is not the enemy of national security—dishonesty is.
The adjudicative process is designed to recognize that reliable, trustworthy people sometimes struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction. What matters is whether you’re taking care of yourself, getting good help, and whether you can be trusted to report the truth.
If you’ve received mental health care, don’t try to hide it. Be transparent, be proactive, and get support from professionals who understand how to mitigate both Guideline I and Guideline E concerns.
Need help navigating a mental health or candor-related clearance issue?
Dr. Scott Edwards is President and Chief Psychologist at ClearancePsych. He is a licensed, board-certified psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in psychological evaluations for federal personnel, service members, and contractors. ClearancePsych specializes in security clearance psychological evaluations, mitigation planning for Guidelines E, G, H, I, and J, mental health documentation and treatment coordination, and coaching for SF-86 disclosure and clearance interviews.