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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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July Black Bear Prompt: Loss and Grief
July Black Bear Prompt: Loss and Grief
Tell me about how loss in your life affected your mental health
Michele Maize
Jun 29
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
Being the Adult Child of an Alcoholic
Being the Adult Child of an Alcoholic
One daughter's truth on the lasting impact of an alcoholic parent.
Dawn D
Jul 25
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How to Respond to Gaslighting
How to Respond to Gaslighting
Don’t let other people twist the truth
Thomas Morison
Jul 24
I’m 48, And Estrogen Has Changed My Life
I’m 48, And Estrogen Has Changed My Life
I have tried it all.
Melissa Steussy
Jul 23
The #1 Reason Why You’re Not Staying Sober
The #1 Reason Why You’re Not Staying Sober
Because it’s the #1 thing nobody wants to talk about…
TOM★LEU
Jul 23
What’s The Deal With California Sober?
What’s The Deal With California Sober?
Is it safe or dangerous for someone with addiction problems?
PatrickMeowler
Jul 23
The Sudden Death of My Friend Shook My World Upside Down
The Sudden Death of My Friend Shook My World Upside Down
But his suicide taught me important lessons I’ll carry with me forever
Carly Newberg
Jul 22
When a Perceived Threat Feels Like Anxiety
When a Perceived Threat Feels Like Anxiety
It’s most likely a trauma response
Melissa Steussy
Jul 22
Letting Go of the Past and Learning From Our Mistakes
Letting Go of the Past and Learning From Our Mistakes
What can you do to prevent the bad event from happening again?
Thomas Morison
Jul 22
Blang Blue Berry Buch
Blang Blue Berry Buch
I didn’t go to the dentist for 16 years
Oscar Rhea
Jul 21
Why I Find Gypsy Rose Relatable
Why I Find Gypsy Rose Relatable
How Life After Lock Up makes me think of my mother
AND ALSO…
Jul 21
I’ve Gained A Day A Week Sober
I’ve Gained A Day A Week Sober
Why didn’t I realise this earlier?
Jordan Katherine
Jul 21
There’s Less Drama in My Life Since I’ve Been Sober
There’s Less Drama in My Life Since I’ve Been Sober
Less drama does not mean boring by any means.
Carole Olsen
Jul 21
I Became Suicidal Because of My Former Psychiatrist
I Became Suicidal Because of My Former Psychiatrist
Although I must shoulder some of the blame too, I did not realize I was being misunderstood — and therefore misdiagnosed and mis-medicated…
Chandrayan Gupta
Jul 20
Removing Alcohol Radically Changed My Life
Removing Alcohol Radically Changed My Life
In less than two years
Chrissy Janiga, LCSW
Jul 19
The Misunderstanding of Suicidal Thinking
The Misunderstanding of Suicidal Thinking
The want to die is the want to live.
odawni
Jul 19
Dropping a Bombshell of Truth Kickstarted My Recovery
Dropping a Bombshell of Truth Kickstarted My Recovery
I am both an alcoholic and an addict.
Rev. Dr. Michelle Pederson
Jul 19
Did I Really Store a Traumatic Memory in My Hip?
Did I Really Store a Traumatic Memory in My Hip?
Yoga can reveal a lot about yourself.
Helena Anne
Jul 19
I Can’t Be Part of My Son’s Life of Addiction Anymore
I Can’t Be Part of My Son’s Life of Addiction Anymore
Maybe I’m not as strong as I used to be. Or maybe I’ve been enabling him
Catherine Oceano
Jul 18
How To Support A Loved One With Mental Health Issues
How To Support A Loved One With Mental Health Issues
From my personal experience as a loved one with mental health issues
PatrickMeowler
Jul 18
The Day I Almost Kidnapped a Baby
The Day I Almost Kidnapped a Baby
Grief can turn you into someone you’re not
Kylie van Gelder
Jul 17
Being Raised by Narcissists Leads to Having Boundary Problems
Being Raised by Narcissists Leads to Having Boundary Problems
Being abused as a child will lead to problems saying “no”
Thomas Morison
Jul 17
If You Lost a Loved One to Suicide, Forgive Yourself, Release the Guilt
If You Lost a Loved One to Suicide, Forgive Yourself, Release the G...
It’s hard to hear, but there’s very little you could’ve done
Joe Guay - Dispatches From the Guay Life!
Jul 17
Alcohol Helped Me Feel Human
Alcohol Helped Me Feel Human
I drank to escape being transgender and unmask my autism
Piddling Piddles
Jul 17
Reflections on Birthdays with Hidden Depression
Reflections on Birthdays with Hidden Depression
Sharing the pain of a birthday where nobody knows you are struggling
Hannah Kensaku
Jul 16
Coming Home to Grief
Coming Home to Grief
Navigating Grief While Attending University
the stoic gopher
Jul 16
My 100 Day Alcohol-Free Goal
My 100 Day Alcohol-Free Goal
Meet Kobe
Lisa Yates
Jul 16
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