What’s the Difference Between Mental Health and Behavioral Health?
At Neighborhood Health Center (NHC), we care about your whole health, which includes your mind and body. Many people hear the words “mental health” and “behavioral health” and think they mean the same thing. While they are closely connected, they are not quite the same.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is about how we think, feel, and act. It affects our mood, how we handle stress, and how we connect with others. When we’re mentally healthy, we’re able to cope with life’s ups and downs, build strong relationships, and make good choices.
Mental health includes conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. These conditions can be short-term or long-term, and they can affect how you live your daily life.
What Is Behavioral Health?
Behavioral health is a bigger picture. It includes mental health and looks at how our habits and behaviors affect our well-being. For example, your sleep habits, diet, how much you move your body, and whether you use drugs or alcohol all impact your behavioral health.
Behavioral health includes services like:
- Counseling
- Help with quitting smoking or drinking
- Support for managing stress or chronic illness
- Help with parenting, pregnancy, and life transitions
Related: Recognizing When Stress and Anxiety are More than a Rough Patch
How Are They Connected?
Mental health and behavioral health often go hand in hand. For example, if you’re feeling depressed (a mental health condition), you might stop eating well or isolate yourself (behavioral health issues). On the other hand, poor sleep or substance use can increase your chances of developing a mental health condition.
That’s why it’s essential to look at both. Taking care of your habits can support your mind, and getting mental health support can help you make healthier choices.
NHC Is Here to Help
At NHC, we support your mental and behavioral health in a simple, caring way and close to home.
In Our Clinics:
Our Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) work right in our medical clinics. You don’t need a separate appointment. They can join your regular doctor visit. BHCs help with:
- Managing stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
- Quitting smoking or building healthy habits around other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Care for pregnant and parenting patients or any other life transitions
- Alcohol use or drug use
- BHCs can support patients of all ages; with any condition that has a behavioral component to management and lifestyle change.
In the Community:
Our Community Health Navigators (CHNs) connect you with resources like:
- Housing and food support
- Transportation help
- Access to specialty care and other services
In Schools:
NHC BHCs also provide mental health care in school-based health centers. Students can get support for stress, emotions, and school challenges in a safe space where they feel heard and supported.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s your thoughts, feelings, or habits — they all matter for your health. At NHC, we’re here for every part of you. If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you're not alone. Talk to your provider. We're here to help you take the first step.
Sources:
Director of Behavioral Health, Sara Hergic-Sehovic
This article was reviewed by NHC's Director of Behavioral Health, Sara Hergic-Sehovic, LPC, MBA. Sara has over 10 years of experience in behavioral healthcare and ensures behavioral health is fully integrated into NHC’s whole-person care approach.