Behavioral Health Research in Primary Care

Behavioral health - which includes mental health - takes into account not only a person's psychological health but also specific lifestyle and health behaviors, which can impact overall well-being. Many socioeconomic, societal and financial factors come into play in a person accessing – or being unable to access -- quality mental health services, which can address behaviors impacting overall psychological well-being.

Our researchers, from the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Family Medicine, have examined a wide range of behavioral health and mental health issues. These include addressing the need for the aging population to have access to counseling services, the lack of medical support for mothers who have lost babies, and the effects of gun violence on young people. They’ve also published research on the crisis of burnout and suicide rates among the family medicine physician workforce.

By examining the many behavioral and lifestyle factors that contribute or detract from a person’s overall mental health, our researchers are formulating new behavioral interventions to increase the well-being of the whole person and the whole community.