Mental Health Resources - Everybody Cycle

Riding Tips

Mental health is health so we are going to dive into four mental health topics on this resource page. If you or anyone you know is dealing with a mental health challenge and need resources, tips, or just an ear to listen, we’re here for you.

If you are having a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, call 988. This hotline is your connection to free, confidential support during a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis. You will be connected to a professional counselor 24/7.

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Table of Contents (click to jump to each section)
Anxiety Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Suicide Prevention
Eating Disorders
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Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or dread about a stressful situation. When we are feeling stress or anxiety, our bodies respond by producing stress hormones such as cortisol, which shift our bodies from a “rest and digest” state into a state of “fight/flight/freeze” so that we are ready to react to the stressor in our environment. Sometimes, our bodies have a hard time turning off the “fight/flight/freeze” mode, and an anxiety state can be triggered and maintained by any number of worrisome thoughts (the inner saboteur). Anxiety disorders occur when worrying or feelings of overwhelm or dread become excessive and interfere with your daily life.

Anxiety disorders come in various types, and each have different modes of treatment for the affected individual. Some types of anxiety disorders are summarized below.

Keep in mind, only a licensed provider can diagnose an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder- characterized by persistent worry about everyday things that are out of proportion to the perceived threat. An estimated 3.1% of adults have been diagnosed with GAD, however only 42% seek treatment.
Panic Disorder- characterized by an abrupt surge of intense fear (panic attack) with any combination of the following symptoms: pounding heart, numbness in the extremities, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, fear of death, fear of losing control, dizziness, nausea, and/or chest pain
Specific Phobia- excessive or unreasonable anxiety or fear around specific stressors, such as snakes, flying, blood, or heights
Social Anxiety Disorder- persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others

Signs and Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder (please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that noticing one of more of these does not mean a person has an anxiety disorder):