What is behavioral health?
Behavioral health is a broad term that includes mental health, emotional well-being, substance use disorder and autism services.
It focuses on supporting your whole self because what you think, feel and do has an impact on both your mental and physical states.
Behavioral health vs. mental health
Behavioral health
Behavioral health is a holistic view of everything in your life that supports your overall well-being, including your mental health.
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Substance use
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Social relationships
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Coping mechanisms
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Habits and routines
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Diet, exercise and sleep
Mental health
Mental health is a part of behavioral health, but it's more focused on your psychological and emotional states.
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Family history
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Thought patterns
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Emotional well-being
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Life experiences
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Therapy, counseling and psychiatry
How substance use affects you
Substance use disorder is when a person keeps using a substance even when it's causing problems in their life.
A substance can be alcohol, illegal or legal drugs — even prescription medications, like opioids.
Dependence can happen quickly with opioids, like oxycodone. Learn more about how to use opioids safely, including how to dispose of them.
People with substance use disorder can't control their usage. It's not a lack of willpower. Their brain's chemistry changes, making it extremely difficult to stop.
If you're struggling with substance use, you don't have to face it alone. Reach out for help by calling 1-877-627-1041.
Finding the right autism care
Autism services include:
- Evaluations
- Counseling
- Speech, occupational and physical therapy
- Applied behavioral therapy, sometimes called ABA
These different types of care can help children and families get what they need to develop skills, improve communication and thrive.
Your feelings are valid
You deserve support, understanding and a path toward feeling better.
Sometimes we might tell ourselves that we're fine or make comparisons to other people in other situations. But what you're feeling matters, and whether it's everyday stress or something more, Blue Cross is here to help.
Your struggles don't define you, and you're not alone.
Work on your well-being with free webinars on mindfulness
Blue Cross offers live 30-minute webinars at noon Eastern Time on Thursdays. These interactive webinars feature inspiring people who talk about how to enhance your overall well-being.
You can also join a guided meditation live at noon Eastern Time every Wednesday. Meditations can help you practice mindfulness and breathwork in under 20 minutes.
We can help guide you
No matter where you are on your journey, we're here for you. We have resources to help you live a balanced life, including these guides:
- Men’s guide
- Women’s guide
- Seniors’ guide
- Parents’ guide
- Caregivers’ guide
Mental health vs. mental illness
They're not the same, even though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Learn the difference
How to create a personal mental health check-in
Taking time to check in with yourself is a powerful practice for your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Create your check in
How to maintain balance between mental and physical health
Let’s look at what people can do to maintain the balance between their mental and physical health.
Learn how to maintain balanceThe information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes only. Nothing on this webpage is intended to be, nor should be used as or relied upon as, professional medical advice. Nothing contained on this webpage is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical advice, or to receive medical diagnosis or treatment, consult with your health care provider.