Who do senior leaders talk to when they have issues?
Who is there to talk to when you are having issues as a senior leader?The obvious and correct answer is "everyone". But I don’t think that’s the case.There are various factors that prevent leaders from talking to other leaders or their various suicide prevention options (chaplain, ASIST, ACE, MFLC, etc). In the intelligence world, it’s often the concern of a risk to the security clearance.
Recently they updated the question to help with this issue:
Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a clearance.
In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition? Answer “No” if the counseling was for any of the following reasons and was not court-ordered:
1) strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you; or
2) strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.
But still there are many people afraid to go and be seen. What if, for example, it isn’t related to the above? You could be denied a clearance.Another reason is as a leader, you’re the one that’s supposed to be looking out for others, but then who looks out for you, especially if you have no significant other?
Recently someone I knew killed themselves. I don’t know why, for sure. What I do know is that it’s no one’s fault, but the general climate of the military makes it difficult for them to approach their leadership if they are having issues. I don’t blame their boss or anyone for that matter – it was obviously a personal decision for them.
So what do we do, as senior leaders, to ensure that people (especially other leaders) are comfortable reporting their issues without punishing them either socially or professionally? And do you agree/disagree that it is harder for a leader to report mental health issues as opposed to a more junior SM?
For every one senior that kills themselves, there are two to three more who have thought about it or are thinking about it but haven't yet.
Suicide
Security Clearance
Senior Leaders
This is a very interesting topic SFC Jones. I tell folks all the time that a lot of times the folks we need to keep our eyes on are our leaders when it comes to behavioral health type issues (depression, suicidal tendencies, etc.). I mean that because we as leaders have been around for a very long time. We have received a ton of training. We know the signs and we also know how to hide them very well. That is not healthy for the individual, his/her family or the unit.
Personally, I have a very close group of peers who I can talk to when I need to. I have also sat down and talked with my Chaplains for those other things that I do not feel comfortable talking to my peers with. I have not in the past or do not fear any type of reprisals now from the Command or the Army because of talking to someone. I fear that the price of not talking to someone when you need to is much higher.
It is important to have an outlet, and for many of us it is our spouse that we turn to - I believe that's the case for most married Soldiers, regardless of rank.
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