Behavioral health is about taking care of your “emotional health”, which is just as important as taking care of your “physical health”. Behavioral health care helps patients who may be experiencing life stressors, crises and stress-related physical symptoms, which often affect medical illnesses.
Many patients often find that getting help with their “emotional health” helps them with things like improving their diet, sticking to a weight loss plan, managing anxiety and stress, or even quitting smoking. It is about taking care of your mind and your body, together.
Health care has historically treated the mind and body independently of one another. Today, providers recognize they are connected. Stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness can often impact physical health in a big way. That's why getting help with your "emotional health" through your Primary Care Physician can be beneficial to patients. It is provided by a licensed social worker and “consulting psychiatrist” who are experts in managing these conditions alongside your “physical health care”.
Your Primary Care Physician remains your main health care provider and is fully in charge of all medical decisions. Nothing changes about that. Together your social worker and consulting psychiatrist work closely with your PCP to support your emotional well-being, which helps to improve your physical health. It gives you somebody to talk to when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.