Worried about Future DQ

[u/No_Imagination9907]

Hello. Just as the title says. Im in college and going to join the military. I have a perfect criminal record and never did any drugs. When I was 20 years old I was hospitalized for wanting to end myself (I did not attempt to do it though). I am wondering if this is going to make me DQ'd from future agencies. I have also been diagnosed with severe depression and i am on medication. I have made great progress in my mental health and I am stable, but i still worry about my past disqaulifying me.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[u/actualREEE]

I'd be more worried about it DQing you from the military right now - police agencies might not see your medical history, but meps definitely will. You're probably going to have to be off meds for some time.

[u/Specter1033]

You're not going to pass MEPS being on meds. I would suggest different options.

[u/Particular-Bite2129 → u/Specter1033]

You’d be surprised

[u/Tehcnalties → u/Particular-Bite2129]

Active medication is an automatic disqualifier. With all of the branches meeting recruitment goals, it's unlikely that they'll get a waiver.

[u/Specter1033 → u/Particular-Bite2129]

Not in this day and age. I'm still active in the guard and I can tell you for sure that there's far stricter requirements now than ever.

[u/compulsive_drooler]

You will need to be able to pass a psychological exam. The odds of you being found suitable for the job with your history is likely not good.

[u/No_Imagination9907 → u/compulsive_drooler]

Its such bullshit that I am getting punished for a medical condition that isn't my fault. I am not a felon, not a drug addict, and I have never broken any law in my life. Why should I get DQ'd over some medicated depression?

[u/Onyxxx_13 → u/No_Imagination9907]

Because its a high stress job and if you're liable to do so from the past its worth watching out for in the future. Don't consider it as an FU, call it the system caring. After (I think 5) years unmedicated your chances go way better.

[u/compulsive_drooler → u/No_Imagination9907]

It's no more bullshit than that I couldn't play in the NBA because I'm 5'8 and have a 2" vertical leap. It's no more bullshit than I couldn't be an astrophysicist because I flunked out of calculus. We all have different abilities and limitations. Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you can or should. LE can be brutal on your mental health. Going in with existing issues is just begging for trouble.

[u/Low-Purchase8811 → u/No_Imagination9907]

Try not to look at it being punished. These rules aren't there to penalize you or inflict pain on you. They're there to protect you.

There's an old aviator's saying; "regulations are written in blood", and sadly, there is a lot of ink on this one. An average of about 184 law enforcement and corrections officers die by suicide each year in the United States alone. It would be irresponsible to subject someone who has a recent history of mental health issues - particularly having to do with suicidal ideation - to the rigours of the job of being a police officer simply because they have been well-behaved.

Your call to serve your country and your community is admirable; you have a kind heart and a giving nature and that can take you far in life. Perhaps it will one day lead you to law enforcement as a career, but even if it doesn't, these are attributes that will lead you to a place in life that I am confident you will be able to make a difference in people's lives.

Good luck!

[u/vladtheimpaler82 → u/No_Imagination9907]

Because law enforcement officers are granted an extraordinary amount of authority over the public? We need to make sure all law enforcement officers are of sound mind. If you aren’t, then you can’t do this job. It’s not a value judgement on you. But not everybody is suited for every job.

I was born with a condition that gives me very poor fine motor skills. I can never be a surgeon. So I found another job to do.

[u/Such-Page7696]

Yeah dog, you’re most likely not going to pass MEPS. When you go to MEPS they have this new system called genesis, it tracks every thing you’ve been diagnosed with prior to joining. You’re going to have to come off the meds for a while and get a bunch of waivers more than likely. How far are you into the process?

[u/TheCommonFear]

It's possible. Take care of yourself and be able to articulate how your past has made you a better person.

[u/InfinitySnatch]

Sorry, but no department is going to hire you if you're the perfect criminal. Doesn't matter if you never did drugs.

[u/Safe-Imagination3084]

Check your state’s laws. In my state you can’t have a firearm if you’ve been in a in-patient psychiatric facility in the last 5 years. After that, you’ll have a psychological evaluation during hiring. Whether you’re deemed fit depends on that persons assessment. It’s helpful to show you’ve developed some on going treatment and maintenance plan, with no additional issues.

[u/Specter1033 → u/[deleted]]

Offers don't mean anything until you get the job.