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Hi everyone, thanks to all of you who reached out after seeing this with support but also with your own stories, experiences and questions. Let me address what I've heard the last two days for our collective benefit (hopefully!)<Thread> 1/x https://twitter.com/jasmineelgamal/status/1343340961913577472
Most important up front: Many young/early career ppl shared their struggles & said, "but I can't speak abt this to my boss/supervisor/peers b/c I'm worried about impact on my career." This is INCREDIBLY damaging. Leadership in natsec/law/academia, its on you to address this. 2/x
Supervisors, you can help by leading by example: talk about your own mental health, set up regular check-in calls with your employees/students, encourage days off, prioritize mental + physical health, distribute articles/resources. De-stigmatize. Create change from the top. 3/x
Some ppl assume mental health struggles = lack of productivity or unreliability. Not true. Often, ppl lose themselves in work to avoid pain of stress/anxiety/depression/etc. My biggest promotions at work came in the 3 years after I lost my dad suddenly. Didn't mean I was "ok" 4/x
Your star performer might be hiding pain...learn to look for signs, keep your doors open, encourage & embody the mantra "vulnerability is strength." In high stress jobs in natsec/academia, this is particularly difficult. But that pain catches up to ppl, even years later. 5/x
Conversely some ppl's work might suffer. Writer's block common, inability to get on planes, etc. Again, editors/supervisors, up to you to meet halfway with solutions to get past this. PTSD common in our field: War, conflict, looking at pictures, talking to victims....6/x
...we can internalize the trauma of others and become severely affected by it, more so bc many ppl dont feel like their pain is "valid" compared to the subjects of their work/research. Important to know every single feeling you have is valid. 7/x
One question you guys had was whether mental health affects getting a security clearance. It shouldnt and normally doesnt. In my case, yrs ago, while doing my best work at DoD, a single individual with power listened to my honesty about grief/trauma...8/x
..& recommended against me for an assignment. I was too young + afraid to fully fight back. The shock/injustice was traumatizing. In hindsight, it freed me to do better work. Normally if you're honest, clearance shouldn't be affected. If in doubt consult w/ specialized lawyer 9/x
Mental, like physical, health is so important. It needs just as much maintenance especially during years like this one. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed about it. I urge you not to neglect it, as I did for too long. Everyone needs a little help sometimes! Finally....10/x
Natsec/academia leaders: *please* do your part to make this field more understanding/empathetic. Too many ppl are carrying burden of fear/stigma. You can help fix that. Ppl shouldn't have to suffer for years until they feel "established" enough to speak up. <End> 11/11
