It was a bright, breezy afternoon at the park, the perfect kind of day for a leisurely walk and a bit of quiet reflection. As I strolled down the path, enjoying the fresh air, I spotted a familiar face sitting on a park bench. But today, he didn’t look his usual cheery self. His round belly wasn’t bouncing with laughter, and his eyes seemed clouded with worry. Intrigued and a little concerned, I walked over to him.
"Pooh, buddy," I said, sitting down beside him. "What's going on? You look like you've lost your last jar of honey." Pooh sighed deeply; his ears drooping. "Oh, Bruce, it's not just me. It’s all of us—Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet. We’re all struggling with mental health challenges."
He paused and looked down at his stubby feet. "I’m filled with anxiety about everyone. Tigger’s bouncing back and forth between being wildly manic and then terribly depressed, just like poor Eeyore. Piglet’s afraid of everything, and even Rabbit’s been having what he calls ‘high-strung moments,’ though I think that’s just his fancy way of saying he’s stressed."
I nodded sympathetically. "I completely understand. When I was dealing with my mental health challenges—Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD—I felt like I was trapped in a never-ending cycle of chaos. People kept telling me negative things too, like that I needed to limit my life because of my struggles or that there were things I just couldn’t do. It was suffocating."
Pooh’s eyes widened. "What did you do?" I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my own story. "It got so bad that I tried to end it all. I felt powerless, like my challenges were controlling me and there was no way out.
My Discovery
But I got a second chance, and that’s when I realized something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge in life."
Pooh tilted his head, intrigued. "Emotions?" "Exactly," I said with a chuckle. "But once I figured that out, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program, a self-help approach designed to help people triumph over their challenges and live life to the fullest. The program puts me back in charge every day.
Sure, my challenges didn’t disappear overnight—there’s no magic wand for that. But now, I control the direction of my life, not my emotions or challenges. I can manage them, which means I can THRIVE, Not Just Survive!"
The Mental Health Warrior Path
Pooh perked up. "Thrive? I like the sound of that." "That’s the whole point," I said. "Mental Health Warriors don’t just survive, Pooh. We THRIVE! And that’s the message you can share with your friends—and use for yourself too." Pooh’s face brightened for the first time since I sat down. "Could you tell me more? Maybe something I could explain to my friends?"
"Of course," I said, leaning in. "I’ll give you three empowering lessons that come with being a Mental Health Warrior, and you can pass them along to Tigger, Eeyore, and the whole gang."
Lesson 1: Always Have Tools When Challenges Arise
"The first thing I want you to know is that the program is a self-help approach, which means when challenges come up, we meet them with tools and mindset changes. This way, we’re never overwhelmed. We have the power to meet challenges with an equal amount of positive energy and solutions."
I paused, letting the idea sink in. "For me, bipolar disorder used to send me swinging from manic highs to depressive lows, leaving me overwhelmed. I’d turn to alcohol to numb the chaos. But now, when those feelings start to take over, I use my Mental Health Warrior tools to stay in control. If I need to, I use even more tools in the moment. I’m no longer afraid of my emotions—they’re something I can manage, not something that manages me."
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh scratched his head thoughtfully. "So when Tigger’s bouncing too much and then crashes, we can remind him to use his own tools to help him slow down and balance?"
"Exactly," I said. "That way, Tigger doesn’t feel like he’s at the mercy of his bouncing or his depression."
Lesson 2: One Step at a Time We Move Forward
"The second lesson is that we’re always moving forward, even if the steps are small. We get to control the pace. That realization took a lot of pressure off me, and it helped me see that I should count every step forward as progress."
I gave Pooh an example from my life. "When I started managing my anxiety, it was important to acknowledge that each day I managed it was a step forward. And by handling today’s anxiety, I became stronger for tomorrow. It’s all about recognizing progress, no matter how small."
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh smiled. "So I can tell Eeyore that even on days when he feels low, just getting up and moving forward is progress?"
"Exactly!" I said. "It’s about the journey, not the speed at which we travel."
Lesson 3: You Can Take Your Life in Any Direction
"The third lesson," I continued, "is that we can take our lives in any direction we choose. That’s the most exciting part. My life used to be controlled by my challenges, but now I know that I can manage them and do things I once thought were impossible.
For example, I went from working in information technology to writing books. I also started speaking in front of groups, which used to terrify me, and I would literally run from the room! But now, as a Mental Health Warrior, it’s all possible. Today my life goes in the direction I choose which brings greater happiness to each day and I look forward to the next challenge in life!"
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s face lit up with enthusiasm. "That sounds like something Rabbit could really use. He always feels like his garden is the only thing he can manage. But maybe he can try something new, like writing his own book!"
"Exactly!" I laughed. "Once you know you’re in control of your life, the possibilities are endless."
Wrapping It Up
As we wrapped up our chat, Pooh looked happier than I’d seen him in ages. But suddenly, his face changed, and he slapped his forehead. "Oh no! I just remembered—I’ve got to get back to the Hundred Acre Wood! We’re out of honey and toilet paper. If I don’t hurry, there’ll be very unhappy people!" I laughed. "I better finish my errands too, or I’ll be in the same boat."
Pooh gave me a big bear hug before heading off. "Thanks, Bruce!
I’m going to tell everyone that as Mental Health Warriors we don’t just have to survive with our mental health challenges—we can THRIVE!"
Bruce Schutter
Creator of the Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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