Behavioral Health has been defined as actions/choices that an individual makes that effects their well-being.  Behavioral health pertains to the daily habits, whether good or bad, that effect the physical health of an individual.  Daily habits such as the food we eat, the exercise we partake in, or the sleep we get create impacts into one's physical and even mental health.

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Examples of behavioral health conditions include:

- Poor hygiene 

- Insufficient sleep

- Substance abuse

- Other addictive behaviors 

 

Mental Health, on the other hand, is defined as an individuals psychological state and how this state impacts one's physical and behavioral health.  With mental health, daily habits do not result in a direct cause.  However, negative or positive habits can create an additional burden on a person's psychological state.  

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Examples of mental health conditions include:

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Bipolar

- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

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With that being said, each can contribute to or impact the other.  For example, health-related behaviors pertaining to dietary choices, or even sleep habits (staying up late, getting too much screen time before bed, etc.) can impact the physiology of the brain and affect one's mental/emotional wellbeing.  On the other hand, conditions such as depression or anxiety may predispose one to various coping strategies (excessive drinking, smoking, stress eating, etc.) that impact behavioral health and promoting the development of chronic disease precursors or the conditions themselves.

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Prevention Considerations for Mental/Behavioral Health:

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In consideration of the interrelationships between mental and behavioral health, it's important to develop and implement comprehensive injury/illness prevention strategies that address this interconnectedness.  However, in order to do so, it's important to understand the "big picture" of a patient's health-related condition(s).  Having this understanding allows the athletic trainer to develop a comprehensive and integrative plan of care, which addresses all areas of a patients functional wellbeing. 

 

When assessing/evaluating/screening patients for a specific condition, it is vital to keep in mind how one condition may impact or predispose one to another condition.  A comprehensive systematic evaluation (in consideration of initial baseline testing) and recurrent/ongoing progress assessments using a disablement model framework, allows athletic trainers to gain a thorough understanding of the patients condition, and its impact on the various factors of the patient's life. 

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But, how might this be done?  What strategies are useful to bring about the health and wellbeing of patients and patient populations? 

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Join the discussion, learn practical ideas, and contribute insights regarding injury prevention methods you have used. 

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