Hundreds of Los Angeles fire victims received some heavy, cuddly, and lifesaving mental health support on Monday from a cuddly cub.
These specialty therapeutic teddy bears are called “Comfort Cubs” and they were donated to every person in need coming through the L.A. Dream Center specifically for the fire survivors.
“The Comfort Cub” is a Southern California nonprofit.
The cubs are specifically designed to help heal “broken heart syndrome” in adults, which can be deadly. It’s been coined a sadness syndrome by experts.
It has been proven that adults and children also benefit from holding them.
The weight of the cub is scientifically proven to soothe stress-induced cardiomyopathy, which is experienced when you face a traumatic event like losing your home or a loved one.
The founder of the nonprofit says the “deep touch” pressure from hugging these weighted cubs causes those feel-good hormones in your brain to soothe the pain in your chest. It can be from anxiety, stress and depression.
For every weighted cub purchased another one is donated.
The Comfort Cub also donated more cubs to the Pasadena fire victims at the “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School.”
The school will hand out the cubs this month to all students and educators impacted by the fires.
To learn more or donate to The Comfort Cub, visit: www.thecomfortcub.org.