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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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Black Bear April Prompt: Liquid Emotion
Black Bear April Prompt: Liquid Emotion
Do you cry? How do you handle your emotions?
Michele Maize
Apr 1
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, 2024
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Thank You, Twenty-Sixth Amendment
Thank You, Twenty-Sixth Amendment
A Not-So-Blessing in Disguise
Tom Gavea
Apr 18
I Thought I Was Just Lazy — Turns Out, It Was ADHD
I Thought I Was Just Lazy — Turns Out, It Was ADHD
Living 25 Years in a Fog I Didn’t Know I Was In
Tamseen Fatima
Apr 17
Once I Pressed Play, the Tape Wouldn’t Stop
Once I Pressed Play, the Tape Wouldn’t Stop
A story about a Sony Walkman and a fateful life decision
Andy Spears
Apr 17
The Moment I Realized I Was Living Someone Else’s Dream
The Moment I Realized I Was Living Someone Else’s Dream
Somewhere between graduation and motherhood, I’d lost that girl.
Madison Clarke
Apr 17
My Life as a NYC Drug Addict
My Life as a NYC Drug Addict
Reflections after 25 years of sobriety
From the Mind of Michael Cline
Apr 16
Pay Attention When Life Whispers In Your Ear
Pay Attention When Life Whispers In Your Ear
That Voice Could Change Everything
Diane Reed
Apr 16
Is She Crying Again?
Is She Crying Again?
Coping with my emotions in adulthood
Shannon
Apr 15
In Good Times and Bad, Let the Tears Flow
In Good Times and Bad, Let the Tears Flow
The case for crying
Julio Angel Rivera
Apr 15
Is Psychiatric Illness a Medical Condition or Volitional Behavior?
Is Psychiatric Illness a Medical Condition or Volitional Behavior?
A new blockbuster novel argues the latter…
Lauren Grawert, MD
Apr 15
Today, I Faced My Social Anxiety, One Small Step at a Time
Today, I Faced My Social Anxiety, One Small Step at a Time
Yesterday, I didn’t leave the house.
Luke Westbrook-Manhattan
Apr 15
The desire to have it all
The desire to have it all
Consumerism Culture is destroying our identities.
Moe
Apr 15
When Overcoming an Addiction, a Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
When Overcoming an Addiction, a Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
Showing appreciation will set you up for success.
Thomas Morison
Apr 14
Happy, Joyous, And Free
Happy, Joyous, And Free
Addiction recovery
Denise Estey Lindquist
Apr 14
Why I Like The Drugs I Like
Why I Like The Drugs I Like
A therapy exercise before deciding what to quit
Sawyer Phillips
Apr 10
Why I’m Grateful to Be an Alcoholic
Why I’m Grateful to Be an Alcoholic
Yep, You Read That Right.
Tom Gavea
Apr 9
Not Fitting the Therapy
Not Fitting the Therapy
Or the therapists’ expectations
Mike Hickman
Apr 9
Now Is the Time to Explain About Heroin
Now Is the Time to Explain About Heroin
And what I learned about why I couldn’t stop
Diane Reed
Apr 9
Some Days, It’s Ok to Just Survive
Some Days, It’s Ok to Just Survive
We can’t always scale mountains, but we can keep going
Dana Stankovic
Apr 9
Hi, I’m Alive!
Hi, I’m Alive!
Life has flown by me in the last six months.
AND ALSO…
Apr 9
Loving Someone Who’s Losing Themselves
Loving Someone Who’s Losing Themselves
Watching my brother spiral was the hardest thing I’ve ever done
Tamseen Fatima
Apr 9
April 2025 is Autism Acceptance Month
April 2025 is Autism Acceptance Month
Moving beyond awareness of diversity to true acceptance
Nicole Dake
Apr 8
Most Addicts Can Do Better if They Take Responsibility for Their Circumstances
Most Addicts Can Do Better if They Take Responsibility for Their Ci...
If you don’t like what you got, why don’t you change it
Thomas Morison
Apr 8
Why Meditation Made Me More Stressed (At First)
Why Meditation Made Me More Stressed (At First)
Spoiler: I was doing it wrong
Madison Clarke
Apr 6
How I Bought a Lifetime of Shame for 86 Cents
How I Bought a Lifetime of Shame for 86 Cents
A Cheap Price But A High Cost
Tom Gavea
Apr 6
Why I Thought Emotional Suppression Was Best
Why I Thought Emotional Suppression Was Best
And life would be better if I never cried again
Barbara Carter
Apr 6
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