So there we were, John Wick and I, nursing our coffees in a downtown diner, both reeling from recent current events. Who would’ve thought it? Me, a mental health warrior, and John, the ultimate action hero, sitting together, confounded not by high-stakes action sequences but by the sheer volume of stress coming from every news headline.
“Bruce,” John said with his trademark intensity, “how do you handle it all?” He stirred his coffee, looking contemplative—maybe even a little haunted. “I’m good at handling… intense situations. But this, this constant stream of stress? It’s… different.”
Luckily, John’s familiar with my Mental Health Warrior Program, a self-help approach I created based on my own 20-year struggle with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD. After reaching my breaking point and trying to end my life, I realized that the way to overcome these challenges isn’t just surviving them, it’s learning to live with strength and resilience. So, the program is packed with tools for mindset shifts and lifestyle habits to empower people to overcome life’s toughest challenges. It’s practical, it’s actionable, and hey, even John Wick is on board.
“Well,” I replied, “if the Mental Health Warrior Program can help me, I think it’s got enough power for both of us to get through the madness. Let’s think about what we’d tell our friends right now if they asked us how to keep it together.”
John nodded, ready for action, even if this action didn’t involve high-speed chases or expertly handled firearms. And after some back-and-forth, we came up with three key steps that any Mental Health Warrior could use to stay grounded, resilient, and ready to take on the world—even with the headlines.
1. First and Foremost: Take Care of Yourself
“Step one,” I said, “is taking care of yourself. When you’re angry or upset, it’s like an invitation for challenges to take over. Don’t let them! The strongest thing we can do is give ourselves time to process our emotions each day. We’re still in the game, John. And when we’re in control, we can handle anything thrown at us.”
John looked thoughtful, probably picturing this advice in a way only he could. “So you’re saying, before I leap into action, I need to make sure I’m not acting out of pure reaction. Interesting.” “Exactly,” I replied, nodding. “If we’re going to stay strong, we can’t let our emotions overtake us."
John’s Takeaway:
John thought about it for a second. “So, in my case, when I’m tracking down a villain and I start feeling like I’m losing my grip, maybe instead of rushing into the fight, I take a minute to breathe, assess my emotions, and make sure I’m acting from a place of strength, not frustration.”
I grinned, “And just like that, you’re not only in control of your emotions, but you’re handling the situation in a way that keeps you focused on what you need to do.”
2. Lean on Your Support System
“Next up,” I continued, “is to lean on your support. Sometimes, we feel like we have to carry everything alone, especially when the news feels like it’s hitting us from all sides. But remember, everyone’s seeing the same stuff. We’re all barraged by it, and we all share some common ground. Having people you can be honest with is one of the strongest tools you can use.”
John’s Takeaway:
John’s stoic expression softened a bit, and he nodded. “You know, even I don’t do it all on my own. When I’m in a bind, I’ve got a few close allies—like Winston and the Bowery King. I might be the one in the line of fire, but they’ve got my back. It’s not always about talking through emotions, but knowing they’re there is enough.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Even just knowing there are people you can reach out to in tough times can make all the difference. And for Mental Health Warriors, we need that honest, open support to stay grounded and focused on what matters.”
3. Focus on What You Can Control
“Alright, last but not least,” I said, “we need to focus on what’s right in front of us. When things feel out of control, take stock of the things you can actually change: what you eat, who you spend time with, your daily routines, workouts, whatever. Even though we can’t change some of the bigger things happening out there, we can still build a day that’s meaningful and productive.”
John smirked, probably recalling some high-octane situation where focusing on what he could control was the only thing that got him through. “I get that. When I’m going up against impossible odds, I focus on what I can do at that moment. You’re saying to do that in daily life—take what’s in front of you, use it to build something positive, and ignore the rest.”
“Right!” I said. “If we put our energy into what we can directly influence, we get a sense of purpose, and every action feels like progress. This way, even with all the noise around us, we’re building something real.”
John’s Takeaway:
John nodded. “So when I’m feeling overwhelmed, maybe I start with just making a plan for the day—whether it’s training, gathering intel, or checking in with allies. I can’t stop everything that’s happening in the world, but I can do my part to stay strong and in control.”
Wrapping Up: Embracing the Power of Mental Health Warriors
By now, we’d both downed our coffees, and John was looking more resolute. “You know, Bruce,” he said, “I’m glad we had this talk. The Mental Health Warrior Program really is something else. It’s practical, but it’s also empowering. Taking control, leaning on allies, and focusing on what’s right in front of us… this is how we stay strong, no matter what’s happening around us.”
I chuckled. “See? Even the toughest action hero can appreciate the power of a good self-help approach. We’ve all got battles, and this is how we fight them.” We then parted ways, each of us more determined than ever.
Because that’s the heart of the Mental Health Warrior approach: it empowers us to face every challenge, big or small, and come out stronger. And in a world full of uncertainties, knowing we’re equipped to handle whatever life throws our way? That’s the kind of resilience that makes us unstoppable!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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