Gear Up Mental Health Warrior—It’s Go Time: Marvin & Doug’s Guide to Your First Step Forward
- Bruce Schutter
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
There’s nothing quite like having your front door kicked in—metaphorically speaking—by a cat with a clipboard and a dog wearing emotional support slippers.
“Bruce!” Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat barked (yes, barked), bursting through my door like he owned the place. “We’ve got a plan. A new mission. And Doug’s off the couch, so you know it’s serious.”
Doug the “Depressed” Dog ambled in behind him, tail wagging slowly, eyes still soulful but with a spark of purpose. “We’re going on a resource raid,” he said. “You know—resources, resource, resources! Like Oprah, but furrier.”
I blinked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“We want everyone to know about the Mental Health Warrior Program,” Marvin declared, hopping onto my kitchen counter like he paid rent. “It’s time. People need real tools. The kind that help you take that terrifying first step.”
“And warrior snacks,” Doug added. “For emotional support and fuel.”
How the Program Was Born
They were right, of course. The Mental Health Warrior Program didn’t just fall from the sky—it was built from the ground up, forged in the fire of real struggle.
For over 20 years, I battled Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. I hit rock bottom and feeling so powerless, I tried to end my life. But in that darkness, I found something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge. Not your past. Not your pain. You.
And now, Marvin and Doug have taken up the cause of helping people start their warrior journey!
Step One: Resources, Baby!
“We’ve seen too many people stuck at the starting line,” Marvin said, crossing his paws like a tiny therapist. “They need options. Tools. Entry points. Ladders out of the mental mud.”
Doug nodded. “Sometimes one blog post can shift your mindset. Or a podcast gives you strength on a hard day. The point is—you need variety. The right tool for the right day.”
So, together, we broke down the full buffet of resources offered in the Mental Health Warrior Program.
MENTAL HEALTH WARRIOR PROGRAM RESOURCES
1. Daily Blog (With Familiar Faces)
“I live for the blog,” Marvin said. “Where else can you find mental health lessons from Winnie the Pooh, John Wick, and me—Marvin the Cat?”
Each blog is a story-driven way to make mental health less scary. Whether it’s Percy the PTSD Platypus, Doug’s down days, or Andy the Anxious Aardvark, we bring humor, heart, and action steps to help you shift your mindset.
Doug added, “And sometimes I cry when I read them. But, like, the good kind of crying.”
2. Daily Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
“Consistency is key,” Marvin explained. “We post every day on all major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter) so people can stay motivated, informed and reminded that mental health is a daily thing—not a once-a-month spa day.”
Doug scrolled Instagram mid-conversation. “I follow us. It’s the only feed that doesn’t stress me out.”
3. Books That Go Deep (and are Filled with Tools)
There’s a full series of Mental Health Warrior books covering everything from my personal story to mindset rules, emotional tools, and even mindful eating (yes, Food Therapy is real—and bacon may be involved).
Doug perked up. “The one about Euphoria of Today? That changed my mornings. I actually get out of bed now. Most days.”
4. Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin
“This one’s tactile,” Marvin said, holding the coin up to the light like it was Excalibur. “When I feel off-balance, I grip the coin. It grounds me. Reminds me I’m not the emotion—I’m the one handling the emotion.”
Doug nodded with a grin. “I use my Warrior Coin after every small victory during the day. Took a deep breath instead of snapping? Coin moment. Talked about my feelings? Definitely a coin moment. It’s my ‘I used a Warrior tool—so I win’ celebration.”
5. Podcast on YouTube
“The podcast is where Bruce talks like a human,” Marvin whispered, like it was a rare event. “Real talk. Real tools. And if you’re more of a watcher than a listener—you can see us too.”
Doug barked in agreement. “It’s like mental health support in sweatpants.”
6. Interviews (on Other Podcasts)
“Bruce has been everywhere,” Marvin boasted. “Interviews on mental health, trauma, recovery—you name it. And they’re all online for people who want inspiration from different angles.”
Doug wagged his tail. “Sometimes hearing someone else’s story makes you believe your can change your life too!”
7. The Website (AKA Warrior HQ)
“This is the mothership,” Marvin said. “The central hub. The place to read, listen, explore, and know you’re not alone.”
Doug flopped onto the couch. “It’s where I go when I need motivation but can’t talk to anyone. Just reading a story from Bruce helps.”
Resources = Your Power to Take the First Step
The truth is, there’s no one way to start. But when you have the right tools, the right variety of tools, the first step becomes a lot less scary.
That’s what the Mental Health Warrior Program is all about—offering multiple on-ramps to healing. Whether it’s a book, a blog, a coin, or a cat with a clipboard, you’ll find what speaks to you and helps you move forward.
Because once you take that step, you’re no longer stuck. You’re in motion. You’re becoming a Warrior!
Wrap-Up: Take Action—Revel in the Results!
So if you’re struggling—don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Take action today. Pick up a coin. Read a blog. Watch a video. Hug your dog. High-five your cat.
The resources are here. The tribe is here. And like Marvin says: “Mental health isn’t about pretending to be fine. It’s about using the Mental Health Warrior Program to be strong—because YOU are in charge!”
Bruce Schutter
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