Harmonizing with the Minions: A Mental Health Warrior’s Song of Triumph
- Bruce Schutter
- Nov 7
- 5 min read
It started with a phone call I wasn’t expecting — and probably shouldn’t have answered.
“BEE-DOO! BEE-DOO!”
That’s what my phone screamed at me at 7:13 p.m. on a Friday. Before I could even say hello, Kevin’s voice crackled through the speaker: “BOSS! COME QUICK! MINIONS HAVE SONG! DOWNTOWN! VERY IMPORTANT! MENTAL HEALTH WARRIOR!”
That’s how I ended up standing in front of the town gazebo, surrounded by a dozen Minions in matching yellow hoodies, a ukulele band, and a suspicious amount of glow sticks.
Apparently, the crew had formed a Minions Mental Health Warrior Band — and tonight was their world premiere.
The Warrior Backstory
Now, before you question how I got tangled up in this yellow whirlwind, you have to understand — the Minions know my story.
They know about my 20-year battle with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. They know how powerless I once felt — and that, at my lowest, 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 that 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 life’s challenges and build the life you really want!
And because the Minions are fellow warriors, they decided to “help.” (Translation: they made a song. With choreography. And fog machines.)
The Minions’ Mental Health Warrior Song
Kevin adjusted his microphone — which was actually a banana taped to a stick. “Bruce,” he said solemnly, “this for you. For Warriors everywhere!”
🎵 “I’m a Mental Health Warrior”
Verse 1 – Facing the Darkness
I’ve walked through nights that felt too long,
When strength was gone and light was wrong.
The battles came, and I stood still,
Until I learned — I am in charge.
I named my pain, I faced my fear,
I stopped pretending it wasn’t here.
Because healing starts the moment you say,
“I’m not okay — but that’s okay.”
Chorus – Finding Strength
I’m a Mental Health Warrior, standing tall,
I’ve fallen hard, but through it all,
I learned my worth, I found my ground,
In every scar, my strength is found.
I rise again, I choose to fight,
To turn my darkness into light.
I’m a Mental Health Warrior
— and I’m in charge.
Verse 2 – Breaking Free
The chains were quiet, but they were real,
The doubts, the shame I used to feel.
But courage whispered where fear once spoke,
And slowly, gently, the silence broke.
It wasn’t magic, it wasn’t grand,
It was one small choice, one steady hand.
To live, to heal, to not give in,
To start again — and call it a win.
Bridge – Healing Through the Mess
Healing’s not perfect — it’s loud, it’s rough,
You fall, you cry, you say, “Enough.
”But every laugh becomes a spark,
A light that cuts across the dark.
We find connection in the scars,
The messy truth of who we are.
And in that space, both raw and real,
The broken pieces start to heal.
Final Chorus – The Warrior’s Resolve
I’m a Mental Health Warrior, stronger each day,
I walk my path — my own, my way.
Through every storm, I’ve learned to bend, not break,
To rise, rebuild and mend again.
No shame, no fear, no silent plea,
Just hope and heart and honesty.
I’m a Mental Health Warrior
— And today, I’m in charge.
Their voices cracked, the fog machine misfired, and Bob tripped over a speaker halfway through — but none of it mattered. Because between the gibberish and giggles, the song captured the entire spirit of the Mental Health Warrior mission: acknowledging your struggles, standing tall and choosing to rise again.
When they hit the final chorus, Kevin shouted, “FOR BRUCE! FOR WARRIORS! FOR SNACKS!” and launched a handful of almonds into the crowd.
It was chaos. It was ridiculous. It was perfect.
Three Minion Lessons for Every Mental Health Warrior
After the applause died down (and I convinced Bob to turn off the fog machine before the fire department showed up), the Minions gathered around to explain the lessons behind their song — and how anyone could apply them today.
Lesson 1: Face the Darkness and Speak the Truth
The opening verse — “I’ve walked through nights that felt too long” — reminds us that healing begins the moment we stop pretending we’re fine. The line “I named my pain, I faced my fear” captures the first step of every Mental Health Warrior’s journey: honesty.
Acknowledging your pain doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free. The act of naming what hurts — saying “I’m not okay, but that’s okay” — breaks the silence that keeps suffering alive.
Our Turn:
When emotions feel heavy, give them a voice. Write a line in your journal, hum a few words of your own “Warrior song,” or simply say out loud what you’ve been avoiding.
Expression releases the pressure.
Lesson 2: Turn Struggle into Strength
The chorus shifts from struggle to power: “I rise again, I choose to fight, to turn my darkness into light.” That’s the essence of resilience — transforming hardship into energy for growth.
The song doesn’t sugarcoat the fight; it honors it. Every scar becomes proof of endurance, every setback an opportunity to rebuild. When you rise, even after falling, you remind yourself that strength isn’t perfection — it’s persistence!
Our Turn:
Think of one thing that tested you this week — then ask, “What did this teach me?” Turn that lesson into fuel. Use it to guide your next small step forward.
That’s how Warriors grow stronger through the storm.
Lesson 3: Heal Through Connection and Courage
In the final verse and bridge, the lyrics shift from isolation to unity: “We find connection in the scars, the messy truth of who we are.” Healing is rarely neat — it’s loud, it’s raw, but it’s never meant to be done alone.
When we share our story, we invite others to do the same. Connection creates courage. It’s the quiet reminder that we’re not broken — we’re becoming whole, together.
Our Turn:
Reach out to one person — a friend, a family member, a colleague — and let them know you’re thinking of them. You don’t need perfect words. Just connection.
Even a few honest moments can start to heal the spaces silence once filled.
Wrap Up
As the crowd dispersed and the Minions packed up their instruments (and most of my almonds), Kevin ran back and handed me a banana-shaped invitation. It read:
“Join the Band. The only missing instrument is YOU.”
That’s the truth. The Mental Health Warrior Program isn’t just mine — it’s OURS. It’s built on real struggles, real tools and the belief that every one of us has the power to turn our pain into purpose.
The Minions reminded me — and all of us — that healing doesn’t have to be heavy. Sometimes it’s loud, messy and full of laughter.
So the next time your week feels like a bad horror sequel, remember this: you’re the main character. The Warrior. The comeback story.
Then sing a song. Take a step. Join the tribe. Because any action is progress — and Warriors build their future step by step, TOGETHER!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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