Yesterday, I stopped by the local convenience store for a quick pick-me-up—a diet soda to power through the afternoon slump. The sun was shining, everything felt pretty routine, and I reached for my drink without a second thought. But then, standing right next to me in the beverage aisle, getting his afternoon coffee, was none other than Leroy Jethro Gibbs from NCIS!
There he was—the man himself—grumbling under his breath about the agonizing slowness of the coffee machine. “This thing’s slower than a cold case,” he muttered, tapping his foot impatiently.
I chuckled to myself. As someone who’s watched more NCIS episodes than I care to admit, I knew that coffee was practically Gibbs’ lifeblood. His frustration with the machine was almost too on-brand. But then, just as he was about to launch into another grumble, his sharp eyes landed on my book: “I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.”
I explained how, for 20 years, I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD—challenges that left me feeling so powerless that I even tried to end my life. But with a second chance, I realized something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge!
With that insight, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a groundbreaking SELF-HELP approach designed to help people take charge of their emotions, overcome challenges, and build the life they really want.
Gibbs nodded, which I took as a sign of approval. “SELF-HELP. I like that,” he said simply.
I smiled. “In this book, I lay out 15 Warrior Principles—that help guide a Mental Health Warrior build a strong foundation every day. One of the most empowering? Warrior Principle 11: ‘Mental Health is a learned skill, which means the future is yours to build.’”
His eyebrow lifted again. “That’s something I can get behind. I’ve spent years in the field, seen things most people couldn’t handle—but I’ll admit… managing emotions? That hasn’t always been my strong suit.”
I could tell I’d struck a chord. “That’s what I love about this principle,” I said. “It means no matter how tough things get, or how overwhelming emotions may feel, we’re not at their mercy. Mental health isn’t some fixed state—it’s something we can learn and improve, just like any other skill.”
Gibbs’ eyes lit up. “You’re right. It’s not about being born with unshakable toughness; it’s about building it over time.”
Then, with classic Gibbs efficiency, he leaned in and asked, “So, how do you apply that principle in your day-to-day?” But before I could answer—because, well, Gibbs is Gibbs—he jumped in with three examples of his own.
Example 1: Mental Strength is Learned, Not Born
Gibbs leaned against the counter, sipping his coffee. “Take it from me,” he began, “when you’re on a stakeout for hours, emotions creep up on you—frustration, boredom, anxiety. The trick is, you’ve got to remind yourself that staying calm under pressure is a skill. No one is born with it. I’ve seen green agents freeze up on their first stakeout, but over time, they learn to manage that stress and push through.”
He glanced over at me, eyes sharp. “You can do the same when anxious thoughts hit. Remind yourself—you’ve faced this before. It’s not some unbeatable force. It’s just a skill to sharpen, like any other.”
Our Turn:
I nodded, realizing how true that was. Anxiety, much like the stress of a stakeout, can feel overwhelming in the moment. But just as Gibbs’ agents learned to stay calm under pressure through experience, you can train your mind to manage emotions better over time.
It’s like learning any skill—the more you face it, the stronger you get.
First time? Feels impossible.
Second time? Feels slightly easier.
Tenth time? You’re handling it like a pro.
Mental health isn’t about being born “tough”—it’s about training yourself to handle challenges step by step. Every struggle you face is another rep in the gym of resilience.
Example 2: Struggles Build Strength
Gibbs continued, “There are times when I’ve faced loss, and you never forget that kind of pain. But what I’ve learned over the years is that dealing with grief, with anger—it’s all part of building strength. It doesn’t happen overnight. Every tough moment is an opportunity to build my resilience.”
Our Turn:
He gave me a serious look, the kind only Gibbs can pull off. “Same goes for you. You’ve been through a lot with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, and Anxiety, but each day you push forward, you’re not just surviving—you’re getting stronger. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, challenge by challenge.”
That hit home for me. I realized that every obstacle I face isn’t a setback—it’s a rep in the gym of mental strength. Just like Gibbs says, mental health is a skill—one that grows stronger every time we choose to face life instead of run from it!
Example 3: Our Future is Built on Our Learnings
Finally, Gibbs leaned in a little closer and lowered his voice. “I’ve spent years mentoring agents—DiNozzo, McGee, Ziva—they didn’t become who they are by following someone else’s path. I gave them guidance, but they had to learn how to handle their own emotions and challenges in the field.”
Then he looked at me. “That’s what you’re doing with your program, right? Teaching others how to build their own mental health strength so they can create a life where they are in charge—NOT their challenges!”
Our Turn:
I nodded, realizing he had summed up the heart of my program perfectly. “You’re not just helping yourself; you’re giving others the tools to build their future,” Gibbs said.
And that’s the power of learning—mental health isn’t just something you have; it’s something you build. Each challenge, each tool, each action we take lays another brick in the foundation of our future.
The future doesn’t just happen—it’s shaped by the choices we make today. And while each of us walks our own path, we’re all moving forward together as Mental Health Warriors!
Wrapping Up – Strength Building
At that moment, the coffee machine finally finished its magic, and Gibbs grabbed his cup, ever the man of action. “Looks like my coffee’s ready. Crime doesn’t solve itself,” he said with a grin. “But remember—mental health is a skill to be learned over time. Build it each day, and you’ll be ready to triumph over any challenge!”
On that note, I handed him my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior. “If you like Principle 11, wait until you see the other 14,” I said with a smirk. Gibbs gave me his signature nod before heading out—fully caffeinated and ready to take on the world.
So next time life throws a challenge your way, don’t see it as a setback—see it as training. Lean into Warrior Principle 11: ‘Mental Health is a learned skill, which means the future is yours to build’ and turn today’s struggles into tomorrow’s STRENGTH!
Bruce Schutter
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