May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? 

Here are some facts about this topic:

Mental Health is an important component of wellness; 1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness.

Although society has come a long way in addressing Mental Health, widespread misconceptions and stigma exists throughout the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD), especially as it relates to obtaining or keeping a security clearance.

Unfortunately, these misconceptions may cause people to forgo the help they need, due to the misguided fear of impacting their clearance or job.

Look out each Friday in May for these topics:

• Mental Health Awareness Facts and Schedule: May 3
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): May 10
• Active Assailant / Active Shooter Case Studies – Awareness, Help, and Prevention: May 17
• Your Clearance, Mental Health Therapy, and Prescription Medicine: May 24
• Breaking the Stigma and Self Reporting: May 31