What is behavioral health?
Behavioral health is an evolving area in the healthcare field incorporating a wide range of issues, including mental health and substance use disorder. Because physical and behavioral health frequently go together, there is an increased focus on treating the whole person, particularly in a primary care settings.
The demand for behavioral healthcare – mental health and substance use disorder treatment – exceeds the availability of services throughout the state. This situation is exacerbated by the growing opioid epidemic and other substance use problems, mandates for greater access to behavioral health services, and limited funding to address these needs. While the state has many highly competent and committed professionals working hard to deliver behavioral health services, difficulties recruiting, educating, training, and retaining a skilled behavioral healthcare workforce may harm the state’s ability to deliver on its goal.
Behavioral health careers
There are a broad range of occupations in the behavioral healthcare field including, but not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, substance use disorder professionals, peer counselors, and community health worker.
What is behavioral health?
Behavioral health is an evolving area in the healthcare field incorporating a wide range of issues, including mental health and substance use disorder. Because physical and behavioral health frequently go together, there is an increased focus on treating the whole person, particularly in a primary care settings.
Behavioral health careers
There are a broad range of occupations in the behavioral healthcare field
including, but not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), mental health counselors,
marriage and family therapists, substance use disorder professionals, peer
counselors, and community health worker.