What is mental and behavioral health care?
Mental and behavioral health are areas of medical care that focus on your emotional health and ability to function in your daily life.
Many people, including children and adolescents as well as adults and senior citizens, experience symptoms of mental and behavioral health challenges at different times in their lives. Some of the most common include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia
- Psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia
Comprehensive treatment options
We offer personalized care for a wide range of mental health disorders, including:
- Individual therapy for all ages
- Couples, family and relationship counseling
- Behavioral coaching programs
- Psychiatry, medication management and medication-assisted treatment
- Psychological and neuropsychological assessment and testing
- Substance use and addiction treatment
Mental health FAQ
There’s no single way to spot mental health challenges. Different conditions have different symptoms, and even people with the same condition can experience their symptoms in different ways. But common signs someone may be struggling with a mental health concern include:
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits and energy levels
- Difficulty doing daily tasks or handling stress
- Excessive worry or fear
- Increased irritability, frustration or anger
- Increased use of alcohol or other substances
- Ongoing sadness, hopelessness or feelings of emptiness
- Unexplained physical aches and pains
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health concern, reach out to a medical or mental health professional. Support is available, and treatment can make a difference.
If you need immediate help, please call:
- Emergency: 911
- Suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- Substance abuse hotline: 1-800-662-4357
If you’re having anxious thoughts or your feelings are becoming hard to manage or getting in the way of your day-to-day life, consult with a medical or mental health professional. They can help you figure out what’s causing your anxiety and take steps to manage it.
Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior. When someone has an addiction, they find it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to stop using or doing whatever they’re addicted to. This is true even when the addiction causes harm in their lives.
Addiction can take a heavy toll on a person’s quality of life, health, relationships, finances and performance at school or work.
Addiction is complex, and there is no single cause, but treatment is available. Depending on the type and severity of the addiction, treatment often includes therapy, support groups and, especially for substance use disorders, medication.
With treatment, many people learn to manage their addiction and go on to live long, fulfilling lives in recovery.
It isn’t always easy to spot signs that someone is becoming dependent on substance use. But some things to look out for may include:
- Becoming unusually clumsy
- Changes in personality
- Changes in relationships
- Disappearing for long periods of time
- Locking doors
- Periods of high energy followed by sleeping a lot
- Trouble focusing
Yes. The good news is that recovery from eating disorders is possible with early detection and proper treatment.
Whether you’re worried about your own disordered eating or are seeing signs of an eating disorder in a loved one, it’s important to get a professional assessment and find a clinician to talk through your concerns and explore treatment options.
Helpful resources
Article
How to know if a therapist is right for you
Therapy can dramatically boost your mental health. Get tips on how to find a therapist who’s right for you, either in person or online.
Article
Behavioral therapy for kids: What to know
If you ever find your child's behavior challenging, behavioral therapy can be a good way to help them thrive.
Article
What does it mean to have good mental health?
Good mental health means feeling balanced, having self-control, thinking clearly, and using good coping strategies, even during tough times.
Article
How to communicate well in a relationship
Good communication means talking and listening with respect. It also means being a good listener and showing that you care.
*Types of primary care vary by location. Check with your local Optum care team to see what’s available in your area.
This program should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 if you are in the United States, the local emergency services phone number if you are outside the United States or go to the nearest ambulatory and emergency room facility. This program is not a substitute for a doctor’s or professional’s care.
If you are in need of emergency emotional assistance, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use Lifeline Chat for 24/7 free and confidential support. Click here for additional resources.
Care may be available as soon as the next day, pending insurance verification, billing confirmation and technology setup. Confirmation of insurance coverage will be available as soon as verification is complete.
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