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Black Bear
At Black Bear, we share informative articles and personal stories about struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
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September Black Bear Prompt: When It’s Hard to Stay Here
September Black Bear Prompt: When It’s Hard to Stay Here
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
Michele Maize
Aug 31
Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024
Black Bear Submission Guidelines—Updated 2024
And becoming a writer with our publication
KiKi Walter
Jan 5, 2023
What Does the Name “Black Bear” Mean?
What Does the Name “Black Bear” Mean?
(And what does it have to do with mental health and addiction?)
KiKi Walter
Dec 23, 2022
Black Bear Is Now Part of the Boost Nomination Program
Black Bear Is Now Part of the Boost Nomination Program
Looking for high-quality personal stories about mental health, addiction, and sobriety
Michele Maize
Feb 1
My Desire For Real Love Brought Me Out of the Closet (Actually Many Closets)
My Desire For Real Love Brought Me Out of the Closet (Actually Many Closets)
And then I met my beloved
Gary Niemen
Sep 15
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The Mental Health Field Doesn’t Need A Special Person
The Mental Health Field Doesn’t Need A Special Person
We need to work on healing our wounds before we help others
Michelle Marie Warner
Sep 15
From the Brink of Ending it All to Triumph: Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and I are Mental Health…
From the Brink of Ending it All to Triumph: Winnie the Pooh, Piglet...
“You have the power to change your Life!”
Bruce Schutter | Mental Health Warrior Program
Sep 15
I’m Still Counting the Days Until 365
I’m Still Counting the Days Until 365
How sobriety is going
Becca CO 🌵
Sep 14
Life Will Never Be The Same Again
Life Will Never Be The Same Again
But it’s still worth living
Blake Shields
Sep 14
Overcoming Addiction
Overcoming Addiction
There is hope for the old destructive patterns to be replaced by something vibrant and new!
Deb Kalmbach
Sep 14
A Newsletter Showed Me Why Writing Is Healing Me From All Of My Trauma
A Newsletter Showed Me Why Writing Is Healing Me From All Of My Trauma
It’s because of the explanation effect
Patrick Meowler
Sep 14
I Drove to a Famous Suicide Spot to End My Life
I Drove to a Famous Suicide Spot to End My Life
But my dead brother’s voice stopped me
Marcia Abboud
Sep 13
Locked in Doubt
Locked in Doubt
Between Reality and Obsession
Freddie 🎖️
Sep 12
Consequences of Being an Emotional Fool
Consequences of Being an Emotional Fool
How a 3 AM Panic Attack Taught Me the Value of Logic in Life-Changing Decisions
Sahil Fruitwala
Sep 12
No Laughing Matter
No Laughing Matter
Some thoughts on self-harm
Strawbridge
Sep 12
If My Mother Was Alive Today
If My Mother Was Alive Today
This is what I would say to her
Leonard Tillerman
Sep 11
Becoming More Self-Led Through IFS Therapy
Becoming More Self-Led Through IFS Therapy
What are your inner parts trying to tell you?
Carly Newberg
Sep 11
Some Lessons I’ve Learned After Two Months Of Sobriety
Some Lessons I’ve Learned After Two Months Of Sobriety
This time everything is different
Patrick Meowler
Sep 11
The Decision To End One’s Life Is Final
The Decision To End One’s Life Is Final
Fortunately for me, I was never good at making decisions
Alexandra Christensen
Sep 11
Almonds, Chocolate, Broccoli and Captain Jack Sparrow: Boost Your Mental Health with Each Bite
Almonds, Chocolate, Broccoli and Captain Jack Sparrow: Boost Your M...
“Delicious Mental Health Warrior Tools”
Bruce Schutter | Mental Health Warrior Program
Sep 11
The Weight of Responsibility: A Personal Journey
The Weight of Responsibility: A Personal Journey
The Double-Edged Sword of Responsibility
Sahil Fruitwala
Sep 10
My Life in Yearbooks
My Life in Yearbooks
Graduating from the Edge: A Teacher’s Mental Health Exit
Erika Dionisio
Sep 10
Surviving A Panic Attack 101
Surviving A Panic Attack 101
It won’t kill you
Patrick Meowler
Sep 10
My Near-Death Experience in a Psychiatric Hospital
My Near-Death Experience in a Psychiatric Hospital
Surviving the Edge
Starting Afresh 65
Sep 9
5 More Minutes and A Call For Help
5 More Minutes and A Call For Help
Shattering Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
Andy B. Hahn
Sep 9
8 Tips For Having a Successful Conversation With a Loved One About Their Alcohol or Drug Use
8 Tips For Having a Successful Conversation With a Loved One About ...
September is National Recovery Month. This story is in honor of all of those struggling with addiction or who have lost someone to…
Lauren Grawert, MD
Sep 9
My Dead Grandfather Stole my Keys
My Dead Grandfather Stole my Keys
It turned out to be an unexpected gift
Love, Lisa
Sep 9
I Wanted to Sleep and Never Wake Up
I Wanted to Sleep and Never Wake Up
Sometimes life becomes too much
Ellen Eastwood
Sep 8
It’s Not All Small Stuff
It’s Not All Small Stuff
Judging others’ “stuff” is not okay
Maisie Archer
Sep 8
How Do People Make Friends As Adults?
How Do People Make Friends As Adults?
How Do People Make Friends As Adults?
Patrick Meowler
Sep 8
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