Grateful for YOU: From Bruce, Lee and Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat’s Crew
- Bruce Schutter
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
I was downtown yesterday afternoon, minding my own business, searching for a snack strong enough to hold me over until dinner — something Warrior-approved, like almonds or beef jerky, not the tray of frosted sugar cookies my brain really wanted.
And that’s when I heard it. A noise like chaos… wrapped in friendship… sprinkled with emotional instability.
I turned the corner and there they were. Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat and his entire crew — Percy the “PTSD” Platypus, Doug the “Depressed” Dog, Samantha the “Stressed-Out” Squirrel, and Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark — marching down the sidewalk with snacks, signs, backpacks and… was that a ukulele?
Yes. Yes it was.
“BRUCE!” Marvin yelled, waving a bag of hazelnuts like a battle flag. “Perfect timing. We’re on a mission!”
Lee poked her head around the corner of the nut display they had commandeered. “We were trying to get a healthy snack but they’ve turned this into a full-scale Warrior parade.”
Samantha saluted with a bag of low-carb trail mix. “It’s important to stay fueled emotionally and nutritionally.”
Andy nodded, though he looked terrified. “There were too many choices. I panicked. I bought gum.”
Percy grunted. “And I bought a celery stick. I don’t know why.”
But Marvin, as always, was radiating purpose. “Bruce,” he said, “today we’re on a mission of GRATITUDE. The Snack Recon Team has decided we’re not just grabbing food — we’re thanking the Mental Health Warriors.”
I blinked. “The Warriors?”
“You know,” Marvin said, tapping his head. “Them. The people reading this. The people who follow the program. The people who are thinking about starting the program. The people who haven’t started yet but feel the spark in their gut.”
Lee smiled. “We’re talking about everyone on this journey — new Warriors, seasoned Warriors and soon-to-be Warriors.”
And suddenly… it made sense. Today wasn’t about a snack. Today was about being grateful for YOU.
Why We’re Thankful for You
(Marvin insisted this section be bold, centered and dramatic)
Because whether you know it or not…
Whether you’re brand new to mental health work…
Whether you’ve been battling for years…
Whether you’re crawling, walking or sprinting in your Warrior Journey…
YOU are part of this mission. And we’re grateful for YOU.
But before Marvin could launch into a whole speech (he had one prepared, laminated and highlighted), Percy whispered, “Tell them your story again. They need to know where this came from.”
Marvin nodded solemnly and pointed to me.
How the Mental Health Warrior Program Began
For 20 years I battled Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD — sometimes all on the same day.
And they didn’t just make life difficult… they made life feel impossible. This struggle left me feeling so powerless, that I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with this knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge!
So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want.
Marvin got his paws on my book I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior. He read my story, saw the Warrior blueprint and instantly announced, “I’m the ambassador now.” The crew followed. And now here we all are… celebrating YOU.
Because this program isn’t just something I created. It’s something we’re building together — every day — across cities, states, countries and time zones.
So today, we want to give you three Warrior reminders from us (Bruce, Lee and Marvin’s crew).
1. YOU Make This Warrior Community Stronger
Marvin jumped onto a bench for this part, tail high like a flag. “Listen!” he yelled. “Every time YOU read a Warrior Rule… try a tool… share a post… encourage someone else… take one small action… you’re helping all of us.”
Doug nodded. “I feel less alone every time someone comments or shares a Warrior moment. It matters. You matter.”
Percy added quietly, “And when you grow stronger, we all grow stronger.”
This mission works because you’re part of it. You, wherever you are in the world, add strength to our Warrior family.
2. We Lean on Each Other — And That Means NONE of Us Is Alone
Lee placed a hand on my shoulder. “This community exists because we don’t pretend we’re perfect. We show up as we are — anxious, stressed, tired, hopeful, healing.”
Samantha hopped onto a fire hydrant. “There are Warriors across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia — we're everywhere!”
Andy smiled nervously. “So technically, mathematically… someone is awake, encouraging someone else, 24 hours a day.”
Which means:
When one Warrior falls, another reaches out.
When one Warrior struggles, another steps in.
When one Warrior feels alone, another whispers “me too.”
Together, we’re unbreakable — because Warriors don’t fight alone.
3. You Deserve Credit — No Matter Where You Are on Your Warrior Path
Doug cleared his throat. “Listen… some days you may feel like you’re making no progress. Like you’re stuck. Like you’re at the beginning and everyone else is ahead.”
He pointed a dramatic paw at you. “But hear this: YOU showed up. YOU’re trying. YOU’re taking action. And that deserves a victory dance.”
Samantha did a tiny celebration dance. It was… confusing but enthusiastic.
Marvin added, “Even if today your biggest Warrior moment was getting out of bed, drinking water or taking one deep breath — that is enough.”
Percy nodded. “Progress is progress. And you should be proud of every inch.”
So today, we’re asking you to do ONE thing: Give yourself credit. Real, heartfelt, Warrior credit.
A hug. A pat on the back. A moment of acknowledgment. Because the small steps are what build the big victories.
Wrap Up
As the crew gathered their snacks (and Andy clutched his emergency gum), Marvin climbed onto a newspaper stand for one final proclamation.
“Today,” he said loudly, “is about YOU. Not about turkey or sides or stretchy pants. It’s about gratitude. It’s about strength. It’s about this unstoppable Warrior family.”
Lee nodded. “We’re grateful for your courage, your hope and your willingness to grow as a Mental Health Warrior — even when things are hard.”
I smiled at you through the page. “You’re not just reading this. You’re part of this mission. And it’s never too late to start your Warrior Journey.”
So today — and tomorrow — and every day after: We are grateful for YOU.
Keep going, Warrior. You are in charge. And your best days are right ahead!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!