Behavioral health is a term that refers to the connection between the mind and the body, especially the promotion of emotional, behavioral and mental health.

Behavioral health treatment includes services for disorders such as:

• substance abuse
• mental health issues
• other addictions

Behavioral Health is a public health priority for Pima County and our voters have long recognized the need to care for those who are among the most vulnerable in our community, supporting the County in its efforts to make significant investments in behavioral health improvements.

Those with behavioral health challenges can go on to live productive, satisfying lives. Recovery is possible and it starts with hope and encouragement. It requires education and action - but there are resources available to help.

More and more research clearly points to a correlation between healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy communities. Behavioral Health is important to everyone and behavioral disorders affect many lives. Did you know that:

• Published studies report that about 25% of all U.S. adults have a mental illness and that nearly 50% of U.S. adults will develop at least one mental illness during their lifetime? (1)
• Mental illness is associated with increased occurrence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, epilepsy, and cancer? (1)
• In 2011, an estimated 20.6 million persons in the United States, aged 12 or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year? (2)

1. Centers for Disease Control (2013) www.cdc.gov

2. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2013) www.samhsa.gov