Behavioral Health: How Habits Can Affect Your Mental Health

The link between your overall well-being and the behaviors you display in your everyday life can be a strong one. How you act—or behave—often works in conjunction with your mental and physical health. Taking some time to assess your behavior may help you recognize whether you’re acting in beneficial or detrimental ways. Oftentimes, this can start with being attentive to the way habits form, what type of habits you’re engaging in, and the ways old habits are affecting you physically and mentally.

What is behavioral health?

Behavioral health as an umbrella term

Behavioral health is an umbrella term because it encompasses a range of interconnected factors that contribute to our overall well-being. It includes thoughts, behaviors, actions, and emotions, and recognizes that these things are all connected.

Behavioral health vs mental health

Behavioral health and mental health are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Mental health services focus primarily on emotional and psychological well-being, while behavioral health is broader. 

Behavioral health is about more than avoiding illness or challenges. It’s about doing things to actively support positive mental health. Behavioral health includes emotional and psychological factors, as well as habits and actions. Mental health is considered part of behavioral health, but behavioral health disorder services also address the connection between actions and mental well-being.

How habits shape behavioral health over time

In many cases, our physical habits shape the way we feel, how we present ourselves, and the way we react to environmental cues in the world around us. Bad habits like not sleeping enough at night, not eating healthy foods, and using substances like alcohol in excess can create harmful physical effects. If a bad habit is left unaddressed, it can have detrimental effects later on.

How habits affect the brain and body

For example, unhealthy physical habits can negatively affect your brain. A lack of sleep, which research shows can affect how a person copes with stress and may impact their performance at work and school. In some cases, the effects of unhealthy habits stick with you during various daily activities like driving or operating machinery, presenting a higher risk of accident or injury.

Poor nutritional habits can similarly affect you in everyday life. While a healthy habit like regular consumption of veggies can benefit your physical health, a lack of nutritional foods can affect your ability to concentrate. Different foods can also lead to low energy levels, which may cause tiredness and a lack of desire to engage in physical activity. This, in turn, can lead to weight gain and several other negative effects on the body.

Common behavioral health concerns

Behavioral health concerns can impact many areas of life. They can develop slowly, and many symptoms can overlap, which may make it difficult for people to overcome them on their own. Understanding what patterns to look for can help individuals understand when they may want to consider seeing appropriate mental health disorder services. 

Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders. Anxiety causes worry, tension, and restlessness, while depression causes low mood, fatigue, and changes in sleep or appetite. They can occur separately or together, and both can have a profound impact on people’s lives. 

Substance use and drugs

People may turn to substances like drugs and alcohol to cope with many challenges, from stress to difficult emotions like grief, anger, or sadness. In time, substance use can lead to addictive and destructive patterns and habits that interfere with work, family, school, and health.

Stress-related behavior patterns

Chronic stress can lead to various harmful behaviors, contributing to anxiety, depression, and substance use, as well as other challenges. Without the support of a qualified mental health professional, these patterns can become more ingrained and more difficult to overcome.

Who behavioral health services are for

While behavioral health services can be effective during periods of crisis or to help manage complex mental health concerns, this type of support can also help support general emotional and mental wellness.

Adults, children, and youth

Behavioral health services can support anyone, from children and youth who need guidance in managing emotions and relationships to navigating academic pressure or figuring out their identity. Adults can get support for managing family and work challenges or figuring out how to manage stress. 

Community and family support

Behavioral health services can be instrumental in helping individuals navigate challenges, but they can also benefit the wider community. Local agencies can offer counseling, education, and other types of assistance to help families and the community as a whole feel connected and supported.

Types of behavioral health services and providers

Behavioral health services encompass a wide range of support for emotional, mental, and behavioral well-being. Services vary widely depending on what individuals need.

Mental health services and disorder services

Mental health services fall under the umbrella of behavioral health care and can include counseling, therapy, and other treatment approaches for conditions like anxiety and depression. More structured programs to treat complex conditions like substance use disorder or eating disorders may also fit into this category.

Provider types and care settings

Behavioral health providers may include psychologists, therapists, social workers, and more. Care can be delivered in a variety of settings, too, including hospitals, clinics, community centers, schools, and via online therapy.

How to access behavioral health care

Accessing behavioral health care can feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Step-by-step guide to getting started

Here’s a step-by-step guide for how you can access behavioral health support:

• Identify your needs: Start by naming what you’re experiencing. Are you feeling depressed or anxious? Are you relying on substances more and more to cope? You don’t need a diagnosis to get help, but noticing what you’re experiencing can help you get the care you need.
• Find a provider: Check your health insurance benefits to find an in-network provider, consider online therapy, or look into community clinics and other non-profit options.
• Schedule your first appointment: At your first appointment, your provider will likely work with you to gather information, understand your challenges, and help you determine your goals, ensuring you receive the appropriate type of care.
• Consider all of your options: Depending on your situation, your provider may suggest therapy, support groups, medication, or specialty services.

Applications, intake, and verification

The actual process you need to get started can vary depending on the type of care. For example, hospitals or private practices may ask you to fill out insurance paperwork and verify your coverage. After verifying the application of your benefits, you may be matched with services or meet with a provider to coordinate necessary services.

Finding help online

Online therapy services can also be an efficient and accessible way to access care. While the specific onboarding process will vary from one website to the next, generally, completing an online form is required before proceeding to the next step. The specific site will guide you through the process and match you with an appropriate provider.

Medicare and Medicaid services for behavioral health

Those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid services may have questions about what behavioral health options are covered.

Medicare coverage basics

Generally, Medicare covers a variety of mental and behavioral health needs, including outpatient and inpatient treatment and some types of substance use treatment. Coverage, limits, and copays can vary by plan. 

Medicaid services and state differences

Medicaid is the largest single payer of mental health services in the United States. The federal government and the states jointly fund coverage, so Medicaid services and coverage vary by location. Many states offer comprehensive services, often with low or no cost.

The role of community agencies and the “no wrong door” approach

The “no wrong door” approach was designed to help people get the help they need, regardless of where they first go for help.

What “wrong door” means in behavioral health access

In behavioral health, “no wrong door” is an approach to service planning that aims to help everyone get the care they need, regardless of where they go to get help. The goal is to make every entry point, including hospital emergency rooms, community agencies, and doctors’ offices, act as a gateway to the behavioral health system.

Coordinated care and assistance

“No wrong door” ultimately aims to ensure that when people reach out for assistance, they get access to the services they need. An example might be going to a walk-in clinic and asking for help detoxing from alcohol. While the clinic may not be able to provide those services, it will ensure the individual receives the care they need, establish next steps, and guide them through the process rather than turning them away.

Building habits that support behavioral health

Your behavioral health is something that you can take steps to manage and keep at a healthy level. While you might be experiencing various mental, physical, or overall health conditions, you can also seek support to overcome them. Building healthy habits can take time, but it may help to stay patient with yourself as you make adjustments. 

Daily habits that support wellness

Practicing healthy habits for mental health can help you embark on the journey toward better overall well-being. Some of these can include: 

• Eating a nourishing diet
• Prioritizing sleep
• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting daily exercise
• Reducing screen time
• Practicing gratitude
• Learning new skills

When habit change alone is not enough

Taking steps toward wellness can be challenging. Speaking with a mental health professional, like a therapist, may help you stay motivated and make these changes with more ease and clarity. Mental health services can also help you manage other challenges that may be impacting your daily life.

Safety, crisis care, and next steps

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, there are ways you can get the help you need right away.

When to seek urgent help

If you are experiencing any of the following, consider seeking immediate support:

• If you feel unsafe
• If you are overwhelmed
• If you are unable to cope
• If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• If you are experiencing sudden and dramatic shifts in behavior

Security and crisis resources

During a mental health emergency, seeking immediate help can offer immediate security, support, and assistance. Various resources may be available, including crisis hotlines, emergency departments, mobile response teams, and other support services.

Getting support through BetterHelp

If you feel like your habits are a source of difficulty and you want to change them, speaking to a mental health professional may be helpful. If you feel nervous about discussing your habits in a new environment like a therapist’s office, you might consider trying online therapy, which allows you to participate in sessions from home or anywhere with an internet connection. 

How online therapy fits into behavioral health care

With BetterHelp, you can connect with various mental health care providers via audio or video chat to access mental health services from anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also contact them in between sessions via in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. This may be especially helpful if you are experiencing challenges relating to alcohol or substance use. You can write to your therapist at any time if you are experiencing triggering thoughts or if you simply have questions or concerns about the benefits of a new habit.