YOU Are in Charge: Marvin Explains How the Mental Health Warrior Program Empowers You
- Bruce Schutter
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
I was walking downtown, thinking about grabbing a smoothie or maybe a slice of that suspiciously cheerful quiche from the corner café, when I heard a familiar sound.
“Pssst. Over here, human.” I turned.
There was Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat, perched on a park bench like he owned the place — tiny aviator sunglasses in place, a clipboard clutched in one paw, and a tote bag labeled ‘Emotional Armor + Snacks’ hanging off the bench.
“You’re just in time,” he said. “I’m renting the gazebo.” “Why?”
“For a major Mental Health Warrior Program Announcement,” he said, already strutting toward it. “This one’s big. Like, revolutionary big. I’m declaring it officially: YOU Are In Charge!”
Marvin doesn’t warrior alone. His crew may not wear capes, but they’re out here battling mental health challenges daily:
Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark lives with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He’s a professional overthinker — capable of turning a simple grocery run into a 3-act mental catastrophe.
Samantha the “Stressed-Out” Squirrel runs on espresso and guilt. She’s booked solid through next Thursday with things she forgot to say “no” to.
Percy the “PTSD” Platypus is the steady one, but that’s only because he’s learned how to use warrior tools to keep himself grounded when trauma tries to hijack his day.
Doug the “Depressed” Dog struggles to get out of bed some mornings. Tail wags come in short supply. But lately, he’s started finding little ways back to the light.
Together, they’re living proof that having challenges doesn’t disqualify you from being a warrior — it makes you perfectly qualified!
My Warrior Story
Marvin and the gang know my story — how for 20 years I battled Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Those challenges left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in those darkest moments, I discovered something life-changing:
Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that truth, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.
So you can take control of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want.
The blueprint for becoming a Warrior — where YOU are in charge and real tools help you get started today — is laid out in my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.
YOU ARE IN CHARGE
From the gazebo’s steps, Marvin addressed the town.
And to my surprise, they had apparently advertised this in advance—because I suddenly found myself surrounded by a huge crowd, all eager to learn how to take charge of their mental health.
“This isn’t just another feel-good slogan,” Marvin said, flicking his tail with purpose.
“It’s the foundation of the Mental Health Warrior Approach — a strategy that empowers YOU.
Because it’s built on three core powers that can change everything!”
Power 1: YOU Choose the Tools and the Pace
“No one knows what you need better than you,” Marvin began, adjusting his sunglasses like a TED Talk was about to break out. “And that’s why the Mental Health Warrior Program puts the power in your paws — er, hands. It’s fully customizable.”
Doug knows that depression can turn a simple morning into a mountain. So, he leans on Mindset Rule 9: Micro-Steps. Instead of trying to “fix everything,” he focuses on three small wins:
Get out of bed.
Brush teeth.
Go outside for five minutes. That’s it.
And guess what? Those choices, made by him, for him, create momentum. Enough to start the day with purpose.
Our Turn:
I stopped trying to “catch up” to anyone else’s version of progress. The Mental Health Warrior Program gave me permission to choose the tools — challenge coins, mindset rules, food “therapy” — and use them in ways that actually fit my life.
On bad days, I adjust.
When I’m overwhelmed, I slow it down.
That isn’t failure — that’s ownership.
And ownership is how real progress is made!
Power 2: YOU Rebuild Confidence
Marvin flipped the page on his clipboard with dramatic flair. “Mental health struggles love to chip away at your self-belief,” he said. “But the Warrior tools? They help you rebuild it — one action at a time. That confidence you thought was gone? It comes back stronger.”
Samantha used to run herself into the ground trying to be everything for everyone. Her calendar was packed with obligations she didn’t even remember agreeing to — just a blur of checkboxes and chaos.
When she started making Warrior choices throughout her day, everything shifted. She learned how to say “no” without spiraling into guilt. Each time she protected her time and energy, her confidence grew.
She’s no longer just surviving the stress. She’s leading through it — grounded, focused and empowered.
Our Turn:
I rebuilt my confidence the same way — through action, not positive thinking.
Every time I use a Warrior tool and see real results — fewer emotional spirals, more control, clearer decisions — my confidence grows. Not the fake-it kind. The earned kind.
That confidence lets me make bolder choices, create routines that actually work and steer my life in a direction I choose — instead of reacting to everything around me.
Power 3: YOU Create Long-Term Sustainability
Marvin stood proudly atop the gazebo railing like a general addressing his troops.“What’s the point of progress,” he said, “if it falls apart the moment life gets hard again?”
That’s where sustainability comes in — not pushing harder, but building a system that lasts.
Andy learned early on that anxiety doesn’t disappear just because you have a good week. Without a way to check in and adjust, even the best tools can start to feel overwhelming.
So he created Maintenance Mondays — a simple weekly ritual where he pauses and asks three questions:
What worked last week?
What didn’t?
What Warrior tools do I want to use next?
Because it’s his system, Andy actually sticks with it. The ritual helps him catch overwhelm early, adjust before things spiral and stay engaged instead of burning out.
Our Turn:
I stopped building plans that only worked on my best days.
Instead, I created routines that still work when energy is low, emotions are heavy or life gets messy. On harder days, I scale down — not quit.
That flexibility is what keeps me going long term. Sustainability isn’t about doing more. It’s about building a system you can stay with — for life.
Wrap Up
As Marvin gathered his clipboard and snack bag, the gazebo felt like a tiny fortress of truth.
“With the Mental Health Warrior Program,” he declared, “YOU are in charge! Not your diagnosis. Not your past. Not the ‘you should haves’ or the ‘what ifs.’ Just YOU.”
He glanced at me and added, “Yeah — it can feel scary at first. But it’s also freedom.”
I then reached into my bag and handed each member of the crew a copy of I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior — so they could continue building their own Warrior strength and confidence.
If you’re struggling today, take a few minutes to explore the Mental Health Warrior Program. Read a blog article. Browse the books. Or simply pause and take it all in.
Because the moment you recognize the power of YOU being in charge, you’ve already taken your first step toward becoming a Mental Health Warrior!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
Comments