Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore Become My Teacher: 3 Mental Health Warrior Steps to Beat Depression
- Bruce Schutter
- May 27
- 6 min read
Yesterday, I found myself in a place I know all too well—a dark cloud of depression hovering above me, trying to pull me under. And despite being the person who created the Mental Health Warrior Program, with all the tools I’ve developed and used for years, there are still days when the weight of my own challenges catches me off guard.
Yesterday was one of those days!
As much as I’d love to wave my Mental Health Warrior sword and make depression vanish on command, I know it’s not that simple. But that doesn’t mean I’m powerless.
In that moment of struggle, I decided to reach out to an old friend—Winnie the Pooh. Yes, that honey-loving bear from the Hundred Acre Wood has become a close confidant and fellow Warrior in my mental health journey.
And true to form, Pooh didn’t show up alone. He brought someone who knows a thing or two about the heaviness I was feeling: Eeyore. The ever-gloomy donkey who’s spent a lifetime trudging through emotional fog sat beside me like a gentle reminder—you don’t have to fight this alone.
As they made themselves comfortable in my living room, something strange and beautiful happened. The roles reversed. There I was—the guy who teaches mental health tools—being counseled by two residents of the Hundred Acre Wood.
Support From Fellow Warriors
Now Winnie and Eeyore are fellow Warriors—and they know my story.
For 20 years, I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. These challenges controlled my life, leaving me so defeated that I tried to end my life. But in my darkest moment, I discovered something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge!
With that realization, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a groundbreaking SELF-HELP approach designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life they really want
Power to Triumph
At the very core of the Mental Health Warrior Program is this belief: We can triumph over life’s challenges by learning to manage our emotions—and by using the right tools!
But on this particular day, it felt like my toolbox was just out of reach.
Because depression, it seems, has a spare key to my mental fortress. And some days, it just lets itself in—uninvited.
Thankfully, that’s when Winnie and Eeyore came to my rescue. They gently reminded me of three powerful steps to beat back depression—steps I had temporarily forgotten in the fog of my own struggle.
Step 1: Pause to See Things Clearly
Pooh’s Wisdom:
“Sometimes,” Pooh said in his slow, thoughtful way, “when you’re feeling like the whole world is sitting on your shoulders, you need to take a step back. Not to run away, but just to see things from a different angle.”
Eeyore, in his typical Eeyore fashion, added, “It’s not like stepping back will fix everything, but it will stop things from getting worse.”
Our Turn:
When you feel overwhelmed by depression, taking a moment to step back can make all the difference. This doesn’t mean avoiding your feelings but rather pausing long enough to break the momentum of negative thoughts.
Here are a few ways to practice stepping back:
Shift your focus: Step outside for a quick walk, sit in a different room, or even look out the window for a few minutes. Changing your physical environment can help your mind reset.
Breathe deeply: Take 5 slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system and create space between you and your overwhelming emotions.
Use a grounding tool: Hold an object (like the Mental Health Warrior Coin!) to bring your attention to the present moment and remind yourself of your strength.
Stepping back doesn’t mean you’re running away from your problems—it means you’re giving yourself the space to approach them with a clearer perspective and more control.
Remember, even a small pause can be the first step toward climbing out of that dark place!
Step 2: Untangling Depression’s Hold on Reality
Eeyore’s Wisdom:
With his ears drooping even lower, Eeyore muttered, “Depression has a way of making everything look worse than it is. Sometimes, I think my tail falling off means the whole world is falling apart.”
Pooh nodded sagely, “But when you really look at things, maybe your tail is just a little loose and needs fixing. Maybe everything isn’t as bad as it seems.”
Our Turn:
Depression has a sneaky way of distorting reality, making even small issues feel overwhelming. To combat this, take a moment to identify the true source of what’s bothering you. Is it something tangible that needs attention, or is your mind magnifying the problem?
Here’s how you can begin sorting things out:
Write it down: Jot down what’s bothering you, no matter how big or small it feels. Sometimes, seeing your thoughts on paper can make them seem less daunting and easier to address.
Talk it out: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or the warrior tribe. They can help you gain perspective and spot any distortions caused by depression.
Focus on what you can control: If there’s a specific issue (like Eeyore’s loose tail), think about one small action you can take to address it. Remember, not every problem requires immediate solutions—some just need acknowledgment.
Identifying the source of depression isn’t about dismissing your feelings—it’s about clarifying what’s real versus what depression might be distorting.
By focusing on what’s truly at the heart of your emotions, you can take meaningful steps toward addressing it and feeling more in control.
Step 3: Turning Awareness Into Action
Pooh’s Wisdom:
“When something’s wrong, like when I can’t find any honey, I don’t just sit there and feel sad,” Pooh said. “I get up, and I look for honey. Or I ask Christopher Robin for help.”
Eeyore chimed in, “Even if all I do is sew my tail back on, it’s something. It’s better than sitting around and waiting for things to get worse.”
Our Turn:
Once you’ve identified the source of your depression, the next step is to take action. This could mean tackling a specific problem head-on or simply starting with a small step in the right direction.
Taking action, no matter how small, helps you regain a sense of control and purpose! For me, that meant tackling the mountain of undone projects that had been weighing on my mind. Instead of seeing them as an insurmountable pile, I began working through them one task at a time, and with each completed task, the weight of depression lifted a little more.
Here are a few ways you can start taking action:
Start small: Even tiny actions, like tidying a single corner of a messy room, making your bed, or writing down your thoughts, can create momentum.
Celebrate progress: Recognize every step you take, no matter how small. Each action is a victory worth celebrating.
Focus on what’s within your control: If you can’t change the problem entirely, look for something you can influence. Action doesn’t have to solve everything at once to be meaningful.
Taking action isn’t about fixing everything immediately—it’s about creating movement. When we take even the smallest steps forward, we remind ourselves that we’re not powerless.
Action builds momentum, and with that momentum, we can slowly start to rebuild hope and purpose.
Conclusion: The Power of Asking for Help
As our conversation came to a close, I realized something profound: Even the teacher needs to ask for help sometimes.
Pooh and Eeyore had done more than just remind me of the three steps to beat depression—they had also shown me the power of the Mental Health Warrior Tribe and the invaluable support it provides.
As I watched them head back to the Hundred Acre Wood, I felt the fog of depression lifting. I was reminded of my own strength and the tools I had at my disposal.
Pooh and Eeyore, satisfied with their work, happily accepted the cookies I offered as a thank you. (Though Pooh did grumble that they would’ve been better with honey!) They both left with full bags and happy hearts, knowing they’d made a difference.
Remember, even when the darkness feels overwhelming, you are not alone. Reach out, use those three lessons, and know that triumph is within your grasp. Because just like Pooh, Eeyore, and me, you are a Mental Health Warrior—and you can overcome your challenges!
Bruce Schutter
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