Service Dogs, Psych Wards, and Special News (and more!)
Content from the week ending June 29, 2024, and Scott’s update
Links to last week’s content are at the bottom of the newsletter.
New Writers
A big warm welcome to our two newest writers: 🎉
Florence Glad: “I write to share personal insights and foster understanding, aiming to empower and support others on their journeys to wellness.”
Heather Bradford: “I made it all the way to my late 40s before having my first manic episode. It was traumatic since we had no exposure previously to any type of mental health issues. I seek to educate and de-stigmatize mental health so others can have a more positive experience than my family did.”
Announcements
- Medium Day is coming August 17th. Glenna Gill and I represented mental health writing last year. I’ve not decided anything for this year yet, but you can learn all about Medium Day 2024 here.
July 2024 Writing Prompt
- When we think of gratitude, our minds may reflect on images of yellow daisies or blue butterflies, but what about the unpretty things that make your life better? Inspired by Kerry Purvis’s story, My Unpretty Gratitude List, our July writing prompt is: Show us your unpretty gratitude list.
- Please tag me (@speakingbipolar) in your response and mention this prompt, so I know to add your story to the list. Thanks!
Scott’s Weekly Update
I’m all about celebrating the small wins just as much as the giant victories. Friday, I received this email from Medium:
Sure, that number isn’t anything near some publications, such as The Startup’s 781k, but it’s still worth celebrating.
Last year, when Medium Day was announced, I couldn’t apply with the publication because we had fewer than 200 followers. As of today, we’re at 1,087, which for you number nerds like me, more than a 500-percent increase.
So get out your party hats and toast your favorite drink because the publication is growing thanks to all of you wonderful writers and readers.
Thank you!
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
Last Week’s Content
- Bringing Up The Past by Heather Bradford
- Disappearing Into Sleep by Julio Angel Rivera
- Embracing the Journey: Finding Peace in My Own Skin by Obeaswan, B.Sc., M.Sc.
- He’s My Service Dog, Not a Magical Unicorn by Stephanie Ann Grant
- How Long to Reach Stability With Bipolar Disorder Recovery? by Scott Ninneman
- Is Writing Possible From the Psych Ward? by Heather Bradford
- It’s Things I Never Knew That Killed My Daughter, Part 1 by Trinity Ellis, Author
- Never Settle, Always Grow. by Melanie Jackson
- Nightmares and Fantasies by Julio Angel Rivera
- When You Stop Believing in Death During a Bipolar Episode by Julio Angel Rivera
Best of Speaking Bipolar
- Top 10 Most-Read Stories (Updated Monthly)
- Boosted stories on Speaking Bipolar
New writers welcome. Share your mental illness journey, poetry, and mental health tips by writing for Speaking Bipolar on Medium. Click here to find out how.
