Crisis in the Classroom: How Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat Uses the RESPOND Method
- Bruce Schutter
- a few seconds ago
- 4 min read
It was 6:42 am. when the frantic knock came at my door. Not the polite tap-tap of a neighbor borrowing sugar, but the kind of pounding you’d expect if the SWAT team had confused my house for a crime scene.
I opened the door to find Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat — fur ruffled, whiskers twitching, backpack askew like he’d just sprinted from a battlefield.
“Bruce!” he yowled. “We’ve got a situation. Someone’s in crisis.”
Now, a few things you need to know about Marvin:
He’s a part-time teacher.
He considers himself a full-time mental health mentor to his students.
He once ate an entire sleeve of Fig Newtons in the teacher’s lounge and then blamed it on “emotional regulation practice.”
So when Marvin says someone’s in crisis, I know two things:
It’s serious.
He’s going to need a Warrior-level playbook.
The Warrior Solution
Luckily, I had just finished writing my new book: Mental Health Warrior’s RESPOND to Crisis: A First-Line Guide for Everyday Heroes to Recognize, Support, and Stabilize People in a Mental Health Crisis.”
I handed Marvin a fresh copy, still warm from the printer. His tail flicked with excitement. “Finally! A manual for Warriors like me who want to help — without accidentally making things worse by, say, offering sardines as therapy.”
Now, Marvin already knew my story — twenty years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD. Struggles that left me so powerless I once tried to end my life. But in that darkest place, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge. So you can take control of your emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life you really want.
So, with a cat-level of enthusiasm, Marvin plopped down on my couch (without asking, of course), cracked open the book, and immediately started rattling off three classroom scenarios where the RESPOND method could make all the difference.
Example 1: The Overwhelmed Student
Marvin sighed. “Okay, picture this: I’m teaching fractions, and a student stares at the whiteboard like it’s ancient cat hieroglyphics. Suddenly, they slam their book shut and mutter, ‘I can’t do this. I’m too stupid. I give up.’ Crisis mode, right there.”
In the past, Marvin admitted, he might’ve blurted out, “Nonsense! Everyone loves fractions!” (Which, frankly, is a lie.) But now, with the RESPOND method, he could do better.
Recognize: See the shutdown as more than math frustration — it’s an emotional overload.
Engage (with compassion): Meet them where they are. “Fractions can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone in this.”
Provide (a safe space): Offer calm support and help them take one small step. “Let’s just try the first problem together.”
I nodded. “That’s exactly it, Marvin. When someone’s overwhelmed, we don’t dismiss their feelings or tell them to ‘snap out of it.’ We recognize, we engage, and we provide the stability of a safe, non-judgmental space.”
Example 2: The Student in Silent Distress
Marvin leaned closer. “Here’s another. There’s a student who never raises their hand, avoids eye contact, and seems like they’re carrying a backpack full of invisible bricks. No outburst, no meltdown — just quiet suffering. That’s trickier.”
He was right. Silent distress often goes unnoticed. But RESPOND shines here, too.
Recognize: Notice the withdrawal and changes in behavior.
Engage (with compassion): Gently check in. “Hey, I’ve noticed you seem quieter lately. I just want you to know I care.”
Provide (a safe space): Give them options — maybe talk privately after class, connect them with a counselor, or simply let them know it’s okay to open up.
“Exactly, Marvin,” I said. “Sometimes the crisis isn’t loud. It’s silent. And we need Warriors who can recognize the signs, engage with compassion, and provide the safety of connection before things spiral further.”
Example 3: The Student in Full-On Meltdown
Marvin flattened his ears. “Final scenario: A student has a full meltdown in class. Tears, yelling, the works. The other kids stare. Some laugh. And I’m standing there thinking: do I call the principal, the fire department, or Batman?”
Ah, the public crisis — overwhelming for everyone involved. But again, RESPOND provides a clear path.
Recognize: This isn’t “bad behavior” — it’s a mental health crisis.
Engage (with compassion): Stay calm, speak softly, and let them know you’re not against them. “I can see you’re upset, and I’m here with you.”
Provide (a safe space): Ensure safety first. Remove the audience if possible. Invite them to step outside or sit somewhere quieter, away from the spotlight.
I told Marvin, “The key is not to escalate. Your calm presence becomes the anchor. And once safety is restored, then you can circle back to problem-solving.”
Wrap Up
Marvin closed the book with a decisive thunk. His fur was still frazzled, but his eyes glowed with determination. “This changes everything,” he said. “I don’t just have to hope I’m doing the right thing when my students are in crisis. I’ve got a method. A Warrior method.”
He bounded toward the door, taking my copy of Mental Health Warrior’s RESPOND to Crisis and muttering about buying extra copies for the teacher’s lounge (and possibly sneaking sardines into the vending machine).
Before leaving, he turned back and smirked. “From now on, when someone’s in crisis, they don’t just get a teacher… they get Marvin the Mental Health Warrior Cat — fully RESPOND-enabled.”
I smiled, realizing the RESPOND method isn’t just for Marvin’s classroom. It’s for all of us — everyday heroes willing to take action when someone’s struggling.
So next time someone needs help, remember: you don’t need all the answers. You just need the courage to RESPOND — and that changes everything!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!