What Is Behavioral Health?

Although mental health and behavioral health are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between the two. Behavioral health encompasses the relationship between your mental and physical health, describing your overall well-being. Doctors are seeing an increase in patients struggling with behavioral health issues as the pandemic continues to redefine the "new normal." To better understand how to support your own wellness, use this guide to behavioral health. 

Mental health is a coalescence of biology, genetics and daily practices. Our day-to-day habits have a remarkable effect on physical and mental health. These patterns typically reflect the experience we are having in our own lives, ideally including nutritious meals, good sleep, exercise and engagement in healthy relationships. When there is a disruption, whether its origins are economic, social, emotional, or physical, it's not uncommon to seek coping mechanisms that assuage the challenges we are up against. 

Unfortunately, not all strategies are beneficial to mental or physical health, greatly impacting behavioral health. About 40% of adults were struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, eating disorders, and gambling were common among those affected by the pandemic. In many ways, methods we would typically utilize to cope with stress were unavailable in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. 

Although the numbers are staggering for increased cases of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, there is an underlying sense of community knowing the affects of the pandemic are not at all unusual or uncommon. However, there is a way out. The first step is examining what may be causing the decline in your mental and physical health. 

Getting to the root of the issue helps you identify what you need to treat it. Keep in mind, anxiety and depression can be situational or have no antecedents whatsoever. Once you have a general idea, consider your options. 

Talk to friends, family members, look online and get recommendations for doctors and resources you can access. The treatments you may find helpful could include mental healthcare, counseling, psychiatric care, chronic disease management, or substance abuse rehabilitation. Lastly, increase your self-care and self-compassion. Showing kindness to yourself, whether it's a home-cooked meal, an afternoon spent in nature, or a warm bath, is deeply impactful on your entire wellbeing.