Question 21 a Catch-22 No Longer

Maybe it wasn't exactly a catch-22 but either way question 21 on standard form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, no longer exists. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates quietly removed it last week in an attempt to encourage more military combat veterans to seek mental health help.

Question 21, which Mr. Gates called infamous, asked:

In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.) or have you consulted with another health care provider about a mental health related condition?

Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been reluctant to seek help for depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they are afraid that doing so will endanger their future employment prospects by making them ineligible for the highest levels of government security clearance.

The military and veterans affairs still have a long way to go before their treatment of soldiers' mental health meets modern standards but eliminating question 21 and the fear and stigma associated with having to answer it is a big step in the right direction.

Morning Edition had a nice piece on Friday, and the Washington Post had coverage with online extras as well, followed by an editorial this (Monday) morning.

Here is the initial video report from the military's own Pentagon Channel (more coverage):



(more coverage here and here)