Discerning the differences between behavioral health and mental health can be difficult. To many people who are uninformed on the subject, these two types of health may be one and the same. However, there are a few differences between these two terms. Here are the major differences between behavioral and mental health.

What is behavioral health?

In general, behavioral health refers to your behavior’s effect on your physical and mental well-being. Everything from your fitness routine to your relationships has a real and measurable effect on your overall health. The most common factors that affect behavioral health include:

• Diet
• Medication
• Exercise frequency and habits
• Alcohol and drug use
• Personal relationships
• Chronic health issues
• Trauma

What is mental health?

Your mental health revolves around your social, emotional, and psychological well-being. No matter what age you are, mental health plays a critical role in your overall health. As such, it’s important to learn how to handle stressful situations and to work productively, as these are indicators of good mental health.

When you’re looking to maintain your mental health, some of the most common actions you can take include:

• Seeking out therapy or counseling during stressful situations
• Staying in contact with relatives
• Following a good fitness routine
• Eating healthy and nutritious foods
• Dealing with relationship problems in a healthy manner

How do these two types of health differ?

Obviously, these two types of health are very similar. They share a lot of the same indicators and even have the same type of solutions. However, these two types of health differ in that behavioral health refers to all behaviors that may affect you, including those associated with mental health. As such, mental health is just one part of a larger behavioral health picture.

Knowing the difference between behavioral and mental health is important because it enables you to have a complete picture of everything that could be associated with harmful and negative behaviors. Knowing the common problems that could be affecting the people around you will enable you to help them. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, look no further than Chapman Rehab’s substance abuse treatment centers in Orange County. Our staff is knowledgeable and respectful, providing an excellent support system to help your loved ones get through this hard time.