It’s easy to be confused by these terms because there is no single way of using them among medical, mental health, and substance abuse professionals. In fact, organizations such as the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association don’t have formal positions on the difference between these terms. In this article I’ll provide a clear distinction between them to try and help you understand. Read on to learn more about what these terms mean and their relationships.
What is Mental Health?
Simply put, mental health deals with psychological conditions where there are not necessarily any readily observed behavioral characteristics.
The World Health Organization provides a perspective on mental health, saying “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” [A]
SAMHSA defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” [B]
Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It is a continuum in which various people each experience aspects differently and with varying degrees of distress. Those with mental health conditions are more likely to have lower levels of mental well-being, but not always.
Common Mental Health Disorders
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults lives with a mental illness. There is a wide range of mental health disorders. Some of the most common include:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, social anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Co-occurring disorders
- Depression
- Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
What is Behavioral Health?
Behavioral health is a broader overarching term that, according to the American Medical Association, refers to “mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises, and stress-related physical symptoms. Behavioral health care refers to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those conditions.” [C]
Behavioral health encompasses the relationship between your behaviors and your general health and well-being. So mental health is often viewed as a part of behavioral health.
Common Behavioral Disorders
Common behavioral disorders include:
- Substance abuse
- Self-harm
- Gambling addiction
- Eating disorders
Mental vs Behavioral Health
The following table summarizes some of the key aspects of each type of care.
| Mental Heath | Behavioral Health |
| Centers on emotional, psychological, and social well-being | Overarching term that includes mental health |
| Client focus | Population focus |
| Part of specialized service | Part of primary care service |
| Long-term treatment | Short-term treatment |
The Influence of Mental Health on Behavioral Health
Mental health can significantly impact many aspects of your overall behavioral health. This may impact:
- Your sense of well-being
- Your physical health
- The quality of your relationships
- Your productivity
- Your functioning in society
Neglecting these elements can lead to personal suffering, affect functioning, and create burdens on society.
Ways to Improve Your Mental and Behavioral Health
Mental health and behavioral health can both be improved if you:
- Eat a healthy diet: Choosing what you eat can go a long way to your health. Cutting down on red meat, increasing the amount of fish, eating whole grains, selecting healthy choices for salads, using olive or avocado oil or other healthy oils, reducing coffee and tea intake, and drinking plenty of water can have a positive impact on your body and brain.
- Get regular exercise: Even modest, low-impact exercise can improve your mental and behavioral health. Taking walks, moderate jogging, swimming, dancing, yoga, or practicing moderate resistance training all go a long way to improve health. It can reduce anxiety, increase mood, support depression, build self-esteem, and lower stress levels.
- Do mindfulness meditation: This form of meditation can help lower stress and anxiety, reduce rumination, and help with depression.
- Connect with your family and friends: Social connections are important to help reduce a sense of isolation, stay connected, increase feelings of support, and enhance a feeling of security.
Professional Help Is Available in Utah
Treatment is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from trauma or PTSD, other mental health issues or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[A] World Health Organization. 2022. Mental health.
[B] SAMHSA. 2024. Mental Health.
[C] American Medical Association. What is behavioral health?
