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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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Depression
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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
The Weight of Responsibility: A Personal Journey
The Weight of Responsibility: A Personal Journey
The Double-Edged Sword of Responsibility
Sahil Fruitwala
Sep 10
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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
From the Ordained Ministry to Alcohol Rebab
From the Ordained Ministry to Alcohol Rebab
All in Three Days
Galen Tinder
Sep 7
My Daughter Never Wanted to Die Forever, Just For a Moment
My Daughter Never Wanted to Die Forever, Just For a Moment
She always cried for help, until she didn’t
Lisa S. Gerard
Sep 7
How I Saved My Life — And the Life of Someone Else
How I Saved My Life — And the Life of Someone Else
If we’re alive, there is a chance we can improve our situation.
James Lloyd
Sep 7
A Note From School: Handle with Care
A Note From School: Handle with Care
A simple letter in my kid’s backpack gave me hope for a future that takes mental health seriously
B. LeBoeuf
Sep 7
The Generational Impacts of Suicide
The Generational Impacts of Suicide
I feel the hole left by the loss of my grandmother decades after the event.
Becca CO 🌵
Sep 6
How It Feels to Be Constantly Discriminated Against
How It Feels to Be Constantly Discriminated Against
It hurts me when people deny me services because I am different.
Thomas Morison
Sep 6
You Have To Love Yourself Above All
You Have To Love Yourself Above All
Treat yourself like you’d treat a best friend
Patrick Meowler
Sep 6
What’s Hidden Abuse?
What’s Hidden Abuse?
Let’s break down the hidden abuse and what it looks like.
AND ALSO…
Sep 6
Labor Day Without Booze
Labor Day Without Booze
Overcoming FOMO
Heather Lowe Award Winning Sober Coach
Sep 5
Winnie the Pooh and the Mental Health Warrior Creed: 3 Ways to Use It to Overcome Life’s Challenges
Winnie the Pooh and the Mental Health Warrior Creed: 3 Ways to Use ...
“You have the power to triumph over your challenges!”
Bruce Schutter | Mental Health Warrior Program
Sep 5
Recovery Month Is September
Recovery Month Is September
I am a woman in long-term recovery
Denise Estey Lindquist
Sep 5
When Someone Dies by Suicide, I ‘Get It,’ Because I Was Almost One of Them
When Someone Dies by Suicide, I ‘Get It,’ Because I Was Almost One ...
A dichotomy of not celebrating, but empathically understanding
Joe Guay - Dispatches From the Guay Life!
Sep 5
I Need To Start A Diet, But It Would Exacerbate My Mental Illness
I Need To Start A Diet, But It Would Exacerbate My Mental Illness
My OCD would go crazy
Francesca Dallaglio
Sep 5
My History With Suicide Made Me a Better Therapist
My History With Suicide Made Me a Better Therapist
Can we start talking about what makes us deeply uncomfortable?
Grace Delphia
Sep 5
I Knew I Had To Stop Drinking the Day I Cremated My Daughter
I Knew I Had To Stop Drinking the Day I Cremated My Daughter
One last stop at the bar was the wake-up call I needed
Courtney Waller
Sep 5
My Addiction Wrecked Me Financially
My Addiction Wrecked Me Financially
Til debt do us part
Patrick Meowler
Sep 5
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