Behavioral Health
One in every six youth in the United States has a diagnosable mental health disorder and half of individuals with a lifetime mental illness have symptoms by the age of 14*. Aside from the challenges mental health illnesses present to children, teens and young adults, there is also the challenge of the social stigma surrounding mental health that may deter children from seeing help, or from adults seeing the condition as a health problem. This stigma, paired with a lack of early identification, unfortunately results in deterring many children from seeking help.
Valley Children’s strives to be an advocate for all children in our community and a source to understand and help your child’s behavioral health and emotional and mental well-being. We are committed to participating in community initiatives, supporting community efforts and to being a quality resource for every family in our Valley. Further, we’re committed to advocating that mental and emotional health is just as critical to overall wellness as physical health, and we’re dedicated to combatting the stigma that prevents so many from being able to find the help they need and deserve.
What is behavioral health?
For many people, having a conversation about behavioral health (also called mental health) starts with a single question: What is behavioral health? Behavioral health is an inclusive term that promotes overall emotional and mental wellness, while also including diagnosable and treatable mental health illnesses such as depression, ADHD, eating disorders and others. The world of behavioral health is large and includes many different conditions, from anxiety to autism spectrum disorders to substance abuse. Because behavioral health is so wide-reaching, it’s important to understand that behavioral health issues are common – it’s likely that someone you know or love (perhaps even yourself) has struggled or is struggling with a behavioral health issue.
It’s also important to understand that behavioral, mental and emotional health and well-being is just as real and important as physical health and well-being; in fact, the two are closely connected. Have you ever noticed that while going through a particularly stressful time in life, you may have encountered headaches or stomach aches? Or did you ever focus on something so much – a test, perhaps – that it gave you anxiety that interrupted your appetite or your sleep schedule? These are just a few simple examples of the close relationship mental and physical health share.