We’ve all heard about the importance of mental health, but have you heard of behavioral health? Sometimes it seems as though people use these two terms interchangeably. While they are closely related, behavioral health and mental health are not actually the same thing. You might be looking online for help and wondering, “Should I search for behavioral health in Deerfield or mental health in Deerfield?”
There are a few differences between the two. Let’s start with figuring out what each phrase means:
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health and mental health are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Behavioral health is an all-encompassing term that covers all of the ways that people’s behaviors affect both their physical and mental health. For example, behavioral health professionals take look at how diet and exercise can impact depression or obesity.
Behavioral health can be thought of as something that can be changed by making different choices. Sometimes simple changes in behavior can have a big impact on your mental and physical health. One example of this is increasing physical activity. It is believed that by simply walking more each day you can improve both your physical health (obesity, cardiovascular, etc.) and mental health (depression, anxiety).
Some behavioral health disorders can include substance abuse, addictions, anorexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder).
What about Mental Health?
Mental health, on the other hand, refers to your psychological, emotional, and social health. More specifically, mental health is how we feel, think, react, and relate to others. Mental health falls under the umbrella of behavioral health, but not all behavioral health issues have to do with mental health.
There are many factors that can contribute to our state of mental health. Certain biological factors, like genetics and brain chemistry, can affect it. Both physical and mental trauma can make a big difference in our mental health as well.
Some specific mental health disorders include depression, anxiety, addictions, and schizophrenia.
Where to Find Help with Behavioral Health in Deerfield
If you suspect that you have a behavioral health or mental health problem, you should seek help as soon as possible. There is help available and you don’t have to struggle alone. You don’t have to know if your struggles are mental health related or behavioral health related – you can let the professionals at Sun Health Center help you to figure that out.
There are a wide range of options available to help our clients with their mental and behavioral health in Deerfield. At Sun Health Center, we offer neuro therapy, IV infusions of vitamins or ketamine, and TeleHealth options. Our team is passionate about helping our clients recover from the neurological effects of traumatic injuries, stress, substance use, and other mental illnesses.
Our exceptional team of neuro specialists, psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists specialize in helping people to deal with issues like stress, addiction, traumatic injuries, anxiety, and depression. For help with your mental or behavioral health in Deerfield and area, contact Sun Health Center.
This article has been medically reviewed by our staff at Sun Health Medical Center in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
