PTSD Toolkit in Your Pocket: How Percy the “PTSD” Platypus Uses the Mental Health Warrior Coin
- Bruce Schutter
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
It was a foggy morning at the edge of the Hundred Acre Wood, the kind of day where even the squirrels looked like they had unfinished business. I spotted Percy the “PTSD” Platypus sitting under a tree, straight-backed, arms crossed, wearing his usual “I’m fine, don’t ask” expression.
He wasn’t scrolling social media or sipping tea. He was doing something much more serious—flipping his Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin between his fingers with military precision.
“Morning, Bruce,” he said, not looking up. “Trying to keep my head on straight. This week’s been... loud!”
I knew that look. That tone. Percy and I share something deep—PTSD. Mine came from years working as an EMT, his from military service and a decade of pretending not to have emotions. The Mental Health Warrior Program didn’t just give me tools to survive—it gave me a way to live.
And today, Percy was showing me how one warrior coin was helping him do the same.
My Story. Our Program.
Percy knows my story inside and out—20 years of struggling with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling so powerless, that I tried to end my life. But in that moment of absolute darkness, I discovered something powerful: 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, designed to put YOU in charge! So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over any challenge and build the life you really want!
And an important part of that program? A simple, powerful tool: the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.
Why the Warrior Coin Works
The Warrior Coin isn’t just cool to look at (though it is). It’s tangible mental strength. It’s something you can hold when your thoughts won’t sit still, something solid when the ground feels like it’s shifting.
It reminds you:
You are a Warrior, not a victim.
You are in charge of your next step.
Every moment of progress deserves to be honored.
With the Warrior Creed “Bend Not Break” engraved on the back, this coin isn’t just metal—it’s a pocket-sized battle cry. A daily reminder to stay grounded, stay flexible, and keep moving forward.
And no one wields it quite like Percy. In fact, he’s got three go-to ways the Warrior Coin helps him manage PTSD—each one a tool for turning stress into strength!
Example 1: The Grounding Grip
“I carry this thing in my vest,” Percy said, flipping the coin up and catching it with practiced ease. “When I feel that creeping tension—heart rate rising, flashbacks tickling the edge—I grip the coin tight.”
He paused for a second, tapping the coin against his palm.
“I’m not always in a place where I can stop and breathe or talk it out. Sometimes, I’m surrounded by noise, movement, or reminders. But this coin?” He held it up. “It’s solid. It’s cool to the touch. It gives me something real to focus on when everything else in my head is spinning.”
He nodded. “I press the ridged edge into my fingertips. I count the grooves. I remind myself that I’m here—not back there. That’s the difference between a challenge running my day… and me taking the wheel back.”
Our Turn:
When PTSD flares up or anxiety starts to spike, I’ve learned how important it is to ground myself in the present moment—because if I don’t, my brain starts to spiral fast.
That’s where the Mental Health Warrior Coin comes in. I carry it with me every day. And when things get intense—when the flashbacks hit or my chest tightens—I reach for the coin.
Just holding something physical helps me interrupt the chaos. I’ll grip it tight, run my fingers along the ridges, feel the weight of it in my palm. That sensory input pulls me out of the mental storm and reminds me: I’m here. I’m safe. I’m not alone.
Example 2: The Pocket Reboot
“Sometimes,” Percy added, “I feel the warning signs early—tight chest, irritability, that itch under the skin. I reach in my pocket, feel the coin, and just press it. Five seconds. That’s my check-in moment.”
He glanced at me. “Kind of like rebooting an old computer. Except less likely to require a hammer.”
He flipped the coin once more, letting it spin in his palm before pocketing it again. “It’s subtle,” he said. “No one else has to see it. But for me? That moment of pressure—just holding the coin—slows everything down. Reminds me I have a choice in how I respond."
Our Turn:
What Percy said really hit home—because I use the coin the same way.
When I feel myself getting overwhelmed—whether it’s PTSD, anxiety, or just that rising tension I’ve come to recognize—I reach into my pocket and press the Warrior Coin between my fingers.
It’s not dramatic. It’s not loud. But it’s a moment that belongs to me. A reset.
I focus on the coolness of the metal, the edge pressing into my fingertips, and I take one good breath. That’s all it takes to break the spiral. To go from being stuck in my head to being grounded in my body.
Over time, this little habit has helped me shift from reacting out of panic or pain… to responding with calm and control.
Example 3: The Victory Reminder
“This one’s my favorite,” Percy smirked, flipping the coin once and catching it with a sharp clap. “When I get through a flashback, or handle a tough situation without falling apart—I flip the coin and give it a nod. Sometimes a little salute. It’s my way of saying: That was hard—and I did it.”
He held the coin up and looked at it for a beat. “Reminds me I’ve earned this. I’m not where I was. I’m stronger now.
And I need to see that sometimes—because PTSD has a nasty habit of making you forget how far you’ve come.”
Our Turn:
I get it. I’ve used the Warrior Coin in that exact way. Sometimes when I make it through a difficult moment without shutting down or turning to old habits, I take the coin out of my pocket and just hold it for a second.
It’s not about bragging—it’s about acknowledging progress.
Because when you’ve spent years in survival mode, even small victories matter. And if you don’t take time to recognize them, your brain will trick you into thinking you’re still stuck.
The coin reminds me: I’m not where I used to be. I am making progress. I am getting stronger. And some days, that reminder is everything!
Why Percy Loves the Coin
“This little disc of metal,” Percy said, holding it to the sunlight, “has more emotional intelligence than I did in my twenties.”
He doesn’t need loud affirmations or long meditations. He needs something solid. The coin gives him that—support without fuss, strength without shouting.
“It’s quiet strength,” he added. “Like me.”
Sure, Percy may never host a motivational TED Talk or teach a yoga class, but when he uses his Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin, he’s practicing daily resilience.
And that’s exactly what the Mental Health Warrior Program is all about: Taking practical action, every single day—because YOU are in charge!
Wrap Up
As the sun peeked through the trees, I reached into my pocket and handed Percy a new Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.
“Here. This one’s got a different Warrior Wisdom on the back.” He turned it over and read aloud: “You Are Stronger Than Your Challenges!”
Percy gave me a rare smile. “Fits me better than bend-not-break some days. But I’ll keep both.”
He tucked the new coin next to the old one and stood up. “Time for my walk. PTSD doesn’t get to dictate my schedule anymore.” I nodded. “And now, you’ve got a tool in each pocket—and a whole tribe behind you.”
So, if you’re dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or any challenge that leaves you feeling off-balance—don’t go it alone. Use tools that work. The Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin is more than a symbol—it’s your anchor, your focus point, and your proof that progress is real.
Because Warriors don’t wait for rescue—they take action!
(And like Percy reminds us: even when the past is loud, the coin in your pocket can be louder.)
Bruce Schutter
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