Behavioral Health focuses on promoting emotional well-being and preventing mental illness and substance use disorders.

- Mental illnesses are health conditions "characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning".
- Substance use disorders occur when the regular use of alcohol and/or drugs causes impairment that leads to negative consequences such as health concerns, risky behaviors or problems at work, school or home.
Indicated as a priority within Denver's most recent Community Health Improvement Plan, these issues impact many Denver residents and are understood to play an important role in overall health and well-being. At all stages of life, behavioral health is "a springboard of thinking and communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience and self-esteem".
These issue areas include:
- Youth substance abuse prevention.
- Maternal mental health / pregnancy-related depression.
- Mental health promotion.
- Suicide and violence prevention.
For immediate assistance, call:
- Denver Health emergency mental health services: (303) 602-7221
- Colorado Crisis Services:1-800-493-TALK
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255