Relationship Between Behavioral Health and Chronic Diseases

Behavioral health and physical health are profoundly interlinked. A person experiencing severe mental illness or a substance use disorder is at greater risk for developing chronic physical health conditions than the general population because of the illness itself as well as potential consequences related to treatment.1 Furthermore, high smoking rates in this population are a major contributing risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer. Conversely, a person managing one or more chronic illnesses is at risk for developing mental health conditions or maladaptive health behaviors because of physiological factors and potential stressors related to managing the condition(s).