One sunny afternoon at the park, I was on my usual walk when I heard a familiar voice call out, “Oh, bother!” Turning around, who do I see but Winnie the Pooh, looking completely frazzled, eyes slightly puffy, clutching his honey jar like it was a lifeline. Pooh’s usually the picture of happiness, but today? He looked like a honey-soaked mess.
“Pooh, are you alright?” I asked, walking over. Pooh sighed and shook his head, looking genuinely overwhelmed. “I don’t know what’s happened, but I just can’t seem to enjoy things anymore—not even my honey!” He looked down at the jar sadly, as if even it had let him down.
“It’s not just me,” he added. “Tigger’s bouncing is getting out of hand; he’s either sky-high or very low, like Eeyore. Piglet’s afraid of his own shadow, and even Rabbit’s starting to mutter things about ‘relaxing’ and ‘zen.’ We’re all feeling... well, just worn out.”
“I get it,” I told him. “I went through something similar for 20 years, feeling like life was a series of fires I had to put out. My Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD took turns running my life. Everything felt like a constant battle just to get through the day!”
Pooh looked at me, his eyes widening as if he’d found a stash of endless honey. “So, how did you find your way back to enjoying things?” “Well,” I said, “that’s where the power of self-help came in. I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a SELF-HELP approach that puts us in control. It’s centered around mindset and lifestyle changes that help us take charge of our mental health and find our strength to face life’s challenges.”
Pooh nodded, intrigued, as I shared three empowering aspects of this self-help approach and Pooh couldn’t help but tell me how it could help his friends!
1. Self-Help Means You’re in Control
“The first empowering aspect of self-help,” I told Pooh, “is that you’re in charge. Every day, you can meet your challenges with a proactive mindset, using tools to address whatever comes your way.”
Pooh listened intently as I explained how this approach helped me through the toughest days of my life. “For me, facing bipolar or anxiety can feel like trying to wrestle a whirlwind. But each day, I get up and decide how I’ll face those challenges. I use my tools to make sure I’m the one steering the ship, not my conditions. It’s the difference between feeling like life is happening to me and knowing that I’m actively navigating it.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
With a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, Pooh started to imagine how his friends could use this approach:
For Tigger: “He could choose when and where to bounce! Maybe, if he’s feeling too bouncy, he could focus on smaller hops that keep him grounded. This way, he’d be in control, rather than letting the bounce take over.”
For Eeyore: Pooh thought for a moment, then said, “Eeyore always feels like life is happening to him, and he can’t do much about it. But maybe if he tried taking charge each day, he could start his mornings with a little walk or a stretch. It might give him a sense of purpose, like he’s leading his day instead of just being led along.”
For Piglet: “Piglet often feels scared, like the world is too big and unpredictable. But if he knew he could use little steps, like breathing exercises or saying ‘I am brave’ three times each day, he’d be less overwhelmed. He’d be in control of his day, just like you said!”
2. Self-Help Means You Choose What Works for You
“One of the great things about Self-Help,” I told Pooh, “It gives you the freedom to choose what works best each day. Life is always changing, so having a variety of tools and mindset shifts means you’re never without options. You can pick what you need, when you need it.”
I shared how I use this flexibility in my own life. “With my mental health challenges, I’ve learned that some days call for a different approach. Maybe it’s a day where I need to focus on calming my anxiety, so I’ll use mindfulness techniques. On days when bipolar tries to pull me down, I turn to uplifting habits, like journaling or even taking a short walk. The ability to choose means I’m never helpless, no matter what comes up.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh looked even more excited, imagining the benefits for his friends:
For Piglet: “He could start by choosing a breathing exercise to calm his fears, or he could keep a little list of things that help him feel safe. Some days, he could use all his tools if he needed to!”
For Eeyore: “Maybe Eeyore could try gratitude journaling. He doesn’t always see the happy things in life, but if he tried writing down one thing he was thankful for, it might lift his spirits. And if he’s really down, he could list a few things each day.”
For Tigger: “Tigger sometimes gets too excited, which can be exhausting. If he had a few relaxation tools, he could use a bit of quiet time or a breathing technique to slow down whenever he wanted to. Then he’d have the energy to bounce happily, not wildly.”
3. Self-Help Grows With You
“The last empowering feature of the Mental Health Warrior self-help approach,” I explained, “is that it grows with you. As we face new situations, learn new things, or even move to new places, the approach adapts. It supports us as we grow, without requiring us to be anything other than ourselves.”
I shared how this adaptability had been a game-changer for me. “When I decided to change careers to something more fulfilling, I didn’t need to be perfectly ‘fixed’ or ‘healed.’ I could manage my emotions well enough to make that leap, even while dealing with my challenges. Self-help doesn’t demand perfection; it gives us the support we need to embrace new opportunities and find joy in life as we grow.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s enthusiasm was contagious as he imagined how this approach could support his friends’ unique journeys:
For Eeyore: “He could keep a journal of little victories, like noticing the nice weather or spending time with us. Eeyore wouldn’t need to become cheerful all the time; he could just grow in his way, finding small, meaningful moments.”
For Piglet: “If Piglet ever tried a new adventure, he could grow his confidence by using tools to help him feel safe. Then, every time he did something brave, he’d know he was getting stronger and could take on more challenges.”
For Tigger: “Tigger is always looking for new ways to bounce! With this approach, he could explore new hobbies, meet new people, or even bounce through new places, all while feeling grounded with the support of his tools.”
Off to Share the Mental Health Warrior Approach
Pooh was practically bouncing now, his face alight with excitement and hope. “This is wonderful! I can’t wait to tell everyone in the Hundred Acre Wood!” He stood up, honey jar momentarily forgotten, eyes sparkling with newfound purpose. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m going to bring this Mental Health Warrior Program's SELF-HELP approach to everyone. I think they’ll feel so much better knowing they’re in charge of their own paths.”
With that, Pooh gave me a big bear hug and headed back toward the Hundred Acre Wood, practically skipping with excitement. I called after him, “Remember, this approach isn’t just about getting through the day—it’s about THRIVING!” Pooh turned back, beaming, and gave me a thumbs-up. “That’s right! We’re all going to thrive because we can triumph over our challenges.”
That’s the true power of the Warrior Self-Help approach: it’s about embracing our inner strength to face our challenges, triumph each day, and fully enjoy life as Mental Health Warriors!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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