'Psychiatry' or 'Behavioral Health'
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Clean up your act, guys
I gather there is a move, especially in New York, to use the term 'Behavioral Health' instead of 'Psychiatry'. This move, as an acquaintance says tongue firmly in cheek, is not for any ideological reasons, or to describe the multiple disciplines involved in mental health services, but because of the generally poor reputation that psychiatry has with the general public and other medical services.
This news is chastening, true, but not disheartening. I take this problem as an opportunity. If psychiatrists brighten up their act and do something to salvage their reputation, so much the better for them, and the branch to which they owe so much.
Only let's hope the change is not mere window dressing.
Call it whatever, psychiatry or behavioural (or behavioral, if you will) health, or whatever. But go ahead and clean up your act, guys.

Ajai
19 Feb 2006