The other day, I was craving a chicken sandwich, so I headed out to my favorite spot, expecting the usual lunchtime rush. However, when I arrived, the parking lot was strangely empty. No cars, no people—just one massive spaceship taking up all the spots. Clearly, this was no ordinary lunch crowd. Curious, I walked in, and there, at the counter, was none other than Ellen Ripley from the Aliens movies. Mystery solved!
Now, if there's anyone you'd expect to commandeer an entire parking lot with a spaceship, it's Ripley. I quickly placed my order and, given that it was just the two of us in the entire place, we started chatting. I happened to be wearing my Mental Health Warrior Program sweatshirt, which caught her eye.
She asked what it was about, and I explained that it's a self-help program I developed, drawing from my own 20-year battle with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD from my time as an EMT with the local rescue squad. She was instantly intrigued and said that in all her spacefaring adventures, the one thing that kept her and her crew alive wasn't just firepower—it was emotional resilience. Managing emotions, according to Ripley, was crucial in overcoming the constant life-or-death challenges they faced.
"Absolutely!" I said, glad she understood the importance of emotional strength. "But here's the tricky part—when friends or family struggle with mental health, we often want to help but don't know how. What's your approach?" I asked.
Ripley leaned back thoughtfully. "One of the best ways I've found to help someone is by sharing my own story—my fears, my struggles. It opens the door for them to talk about their own battles without feeling like they're under pressure." She gave me a knowing look. "When someone knows they're not alone, it can make all the difference."
I nodded in agreement and explained that one of the pillars of the Mental Health Warrior Program is sharing stories to encourage others to open up. When someone doesn’t share the same mental health challenges, my story serves as a bridge. It shows what happens when you neglect mental health and how damaging that can be—but it also highlights the path to reclaiming control. By becoming a Mental Health Warrior, you harness your emotions as a powerful tool to triumph over life's challenges.
Ripley smiled. "Exactly. I’ve seen it in space, with my crew. Sometimes just hearing my story helps them realize they can handle their own struggles." At that point, she gave me three examples of how sharing her story helped her crew, each one revealing how powerful this approach can be. Here’s what she shared:
Example 1: Helping Hicks Face His Fears
Ripley recounted how her crew member, Corporal Hicks, had his own fears of losing people close to him. After surviving a terrifying xenomorph attack, he became more withdrawn, avoiding any discussions about his mental state. One day, Ripley decided to share her story of losing her daughter while she was in stasis for 57 years. By showing Hicks how deeply that loss affected her, she opened the door for him to talk about his own fears.
Your Turn:
The key to helping someone is simply being vulnerable first. I used this approach with my own friends by sharing my struggles with Bipolar, showing them that they’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.
Example 2: Bonding with Bishop over Humanity
Next, Ripley talked about Bishop, the android who struggled with understanding emotions. While Bishop technically couldn’t "feel" in the traditional sense, Ripley noticed he often seemed out of place when the crew bonded over shared experiences. One day, Ripley opened up to Bishop about her complicated relationship with trust—especially trusting people again after Ash, another android, had betrayed her in the past. Her vulnerability with Bishop made him feel accepted as part of the crew, and he responded by becoming fiercely loyal. "In a way, sharing made him more human," she laughed.
Your Turn:
Sharing your story doesn’t just help those who experience emotions the same way you do—it helps everyone. I realized that when I shared my experiences with Bipolar or PTSD, it resonated even with those who don’t fully understand what I’ve gone through.
Example 3: Giving New Recruits Hope
Finally, Ripley shared a story about a young recruit on the mission to LV-426. He was terrified—every bit of training hadn’t prepared him for the reality of facing xenomorphs. Ripley pulled him aside and, instead of giving him a pep talk about courage, she shared how she, too, had been terrified on her first mission to that same planet. She was blunt about how overwhelming it was.
"But I also showed him how I found my strength in that fear. It gave him hope that fear wasn’t something to be ashamed of, but something to embrace."
Your Turn:
I have often faced fear during an emotional downswing with my Bipolar or during a PTSD episode? Ripley reminds us that sharing those moments of vulnerability could give others the hope and confidence they need to face their own challenges.
A Hasty But Powerful Exit
As we wrapped up our conversation, the food arrived—our chicken sandwiches, at long last. Ripley chuckled and glanced out the window. "I should probably move my ship before they tow it. Spaceport parking tickets are no joke!"
I laughed and thanked her for the conversation. It was amazing to share these ideas with someone who understood the power of stories in helping others manage their mental health. As we left, we both knew that by sharing our stories—whether it was Ripley’s space adventures or my own Mental Health Warrior journey—we could help others realize they’re not alone.
So next time you see a friend of family member struggling with their mental health, please share either my story or Ripley’s and open the door, letting them know it ok to talk about their challenges!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
Comments