Welcome to the Tribe

Hello fellow users!! My names Hector, and after a few months of hearing about Steemit from one of my best friends @harshilpatel , I have come to the conclusion that this platform is where I can truly discover and share my passion for learning, observing, and growth.

A little background about me is that I am a first generation Puerto-Rican American. My parents came from very little back on the island. They have worked so hard to provide for me, to nurture my desire for learning, my adventurous passions and my dreams. Although we sometimes disagree on how to acquire success in today's world, without them, I would not be making the first step onto this platform where I can share my ideas and learn from all of you.

I am an Anthropologist, always have been and always will be. I am looking at the minuscule and thinking about the larger picture that it applies to and vice versa. Since the age of 9 I have loved history, archaeology, cultures, biology and how each of these facets applies to our species as a whole. When I was in eighth grade, through the Archaeology magazines my father would buy for me, I discovered what Anthropology was and learned it was about incorporating the listed sub-fields mentioned above and implementing them to understand who we are.

From there I decided to study Bio-anthropology in college. Because of Anthropology I traveled to Cuba on a research mission with my undergraduate University and getting a glimpse into what life is like in country that is not my own. Safe to say that I have been bitten by the adventure bug and hopefully with the support of the Steem block chain I can afford to create new adventures.

After traveling and learning in Cuba, I became aware of how important our biology affects our culture and society. From the very way we perceive reality to the way we eat our food, human biology and culture are dependent on one another. This dependence permeates in our understanding of health.

After receiving my degree of Bio-anthropology, I have gone on to begin my Masters of Public Health. Bio-Anthropology taught me that the way culture perceives health and health care differs from society to society. Unfortunately, we have found that mental health and substance use disorders are normally neglected and often met with stigma and lack of resources for care.

I am fortunate to be working for one of the largest non-profits in Connecticut, Wheeler Clinic, that provides holistic healthcare, connecting primary care physicians to substance use disorder clinicians, psychiatrists, dentists, and much more. I am currently on a federal project as the statewide Youth Recovery Support Coordinator, implementing recovery groups to young adults affected by the Opioid Crisis here in the United States.

Although my work is fulfilling and very busy, I have found that I can do much more. By being on STEEM, this platform will not only allow me to share my passion for learning but spread awareness to those looking for answers on Mental Health and Substance Use disorders. I will be posting almost daily on various topics surrounding the fields of recovery and support, as well my own experiences exploring the world around me ranging from outdoor activities (I love to kayak), to working out and having fun with my friends.

Before I sign off, I would like to share a quote from one of my favorite writers, Sebastian Junger. Perhaps you will understand why I have decided to title my first post "Welcome to the Tribe"

"Humans don't mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary. Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary."

One of the main reasons people today are experiencing high amounts of Mental Health crises is because of our "modern" society being so good at turning people away. The cure for this is finding belonging with those you love and trust and if you would like to find out more about this follow me, upvote me, and stay tuned to learn about what the hell is going on in our society today.

Peace, and I will see you all soon!