Behavioral Health
What is behavioral health?
Behavioral health is a field centered on behaviors’ impact on physical and mental well-being. It often focuses on exercise, diet, drinking and substance use behaviors. Once providers and patients identify the behaviors affecting a patient’s health, they can modify or create healthier ones.
Healthcare providers offer behavioral health services in various settings, such as outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitative and therapeutic programs.
Healthcare providers who provide behavioral health services include
- Physicians
- Counselors
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Neurologists
- Psychiatrists
What is the difference between behavioral health and mental health?
Behavioral health encompasses mental health because it explores the relationship between individuals’ behaviors and physical and mental health. Mental health treatment, for conditions like depression or anxiety, can involve behavioral health adjustments.
Why are behavioral health services important to healthcare?
Behavioral health services are important because they address the behaviors, actions and habits that contribute to physical and mental illness. Thus, behavioral health services increase the quality of life for many individuals.