Explore Hope, Resilience & Mental Wellness
Find a captivating read in bite-sized brilliance. Our collection of adult short stories dives into themes of mental health, resilience, and the enduring power of hope. Explore stories that illuminate the hardships of depression, mood disorders, and the path to well-being.
Embers Of Hope
He was there physically, more present than before, but his soul was long gone…
Joel and Miriam are your average couple – seemingly content with three children and navigating daily life routines.
However, a subtle shift begins when Joel becomes unusually kind, helpful, and available. Initially, Miriam is delighted by this change, but her joy quickly turns to apprehension. A discovery in their home from months ago reveals a chilling realization—Joel is contemplating something dire.
In a desperate bid to change the course of things, Miriam tries to rectify past mistakes and fulfill overlooked gestures, hoping against hope that her efforts can spark some life in him before it’s too late.
The Bane In Our Scars
It is easy to overlook ourselves when we are busy saving others… a sacrifice that always exacts a toll.
Kyle is a successful oncologist who brings his heart to work every day. But beyond the smiles he expertly puts on for his patients lies an inner struggle that he has been working hard to suppress for years.
While he has managed thus far, his façade starts crumbling when one of his patients, Fredrick, informs him that he is deliberating MAID. Nightmares of his best friend’s tragic ending at medical school and the guilt, the hurt, all of it, surface, threatening to drown him.
But Kyle persists in fighting his past demons, hoping he can somehow save Fredrick from his choice and, perhaps, save himself too.
Call Me Mama: A Reason To Persevere
When we hit rock bottom, sometimes we only need a little beam of light to help pull ourselves up from the darkness… for Mariam, this was her daughter.
Haunted by the unhealed trauma of despicable events that happened to her in her childhood, Mariam finds herself deep in the throes of drug addiction. With a complicated pregnancy history atop testing positive for hard drugs, she instantly loses custody of her daughter. Considering that she also lost her marriage, her life quickly tumbles downhill, with her feeling as empty on the outside as she feels on the inside.
Despite her efforts to get clean, each attempt ends in failure, with months and years passing without a glimpse of her beautiful, still-growing daughter. Then Mariam decides to try something —–- something that will either get her clean for good or kill her.
Embracing The Unconventional Path : A Short Story About Confronting HIV Stigma and Embracing Mental Health
The way we see ourselves influences how the world sees us. It becomes our inner thoughts and can help us navigate difficult paths.
When Titi and Musa struggle to conceive a child, fate leads them to Adanma, a beautiful 5-year-old in need of a loving home. But something about Adanma makes Titi hesitant to adopt her – she is HIV positive. However, Musa’s deep connection with the young girl compels him to pursue the adoption process, which Titi eventually gets on board.
Determined to protect her Ada against prejudice, Titi does whatever it takes to hide her status from the world. But right from the word go, Adanma bravely and resiliently embraces her status, fearlessly talking about it every chance she gets, regardless of who is listening.
Her brilliant mind and unwavering self-acceptance become her greatest assets, and she excels academically, refusing to be defined by her status. Ada’s inspiring journey ultimately captures the attention of both young men and influential figures, leading her to the world stage.