What is behavioral health? And is behavioral health the same as mental health? Not quite — but the two are closely intertwined. Behavioral health refers to the care of a person’s mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. Mental health is a big part of total well-being, but it’s not the only part.

Behavioral health also includes lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and sleep, substance use disorders, and social functioning. These all contribute to a young person’s total well-being — and they can all be improved with timely intervention and treatment.

Behavioral health screenings are an important part of well visits at Arbor Pediatrics years before puberty hits and the tumultuous teen years begin. These screenings are integrated into routine check-ups at an early age, so we can identify potential issues like anxiety or depression as soon as possible.

During well visits, your pediatrician will observe your child’s behavior and how they interact with others, including body language and eye contact. You or your child may fill out a mental health questionnaire. Your pediatrician will also ask carefully crafted open-ended questions that help assess your child’s well-being.