1. Cultural Identity, sociocultural-economic - political contexts, barriers & opportunities, privilege & marginalization
1.1. conservative background
1.1.1. as I moved away, my ideas/political leanings shifted away from my family's into a more left leaning tendency
1.1.1.1. reconciling these ideological differences has actually brought my family even closer together
1.2. white privilege - family was well off and money was never a serious concern
1.2.1. education was pushed, plenty of opportunities available to advance
1.2.1.1. able to go to University of Waterloo, which eventually lead me to the realm of healthcare
1.3. socialized from a very small age
1.3.1. love people, and want to work with them in the future
2. Developmental Milestones, life transitions, experiences, education, career
2.1. moved at age 6 from Calgary AB to Ontario
2.1.1. some struggles to make friends during elementary school
2.2. Bachelors of Public Health
2.2.1. taught me more about the healthcare system -- prepared me for this path in a roundabout way
2.3. Administrative Assistant with CBI Health Group
2.3.1. struggled with this job during the pandemic, starting looking at more career paths
2.3.2. started working with psychotherapists , became interested in their job
2.4. worked on farms, retail, and in a nursing home doing menial work
2.4.1. pushed me towards an education where I wouldn't have to do this kind of work anymore.
2.5. Volunteered with Suicide Prevention Council in Waterloo Region
2.5.1. seeing the practical need for mental health support in the community
3. Physiology, genetics, sensisations, mental and physical ability/health, left/right brain
3.1. white Canadian, 2nd generation immigrant from Ukraine/Poland
3.2. heavier build -- overweight as a child and into today
3.2.1. led to self esteem issues as a child that persist even today, as well as issues with my relationship with food
3.2.1.1. understanding these issues now pushed me to want to help others with these things
3.3. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety at age 21.
3.3.1. saw a counsellor who helped me with CBT. Began my interest in mental health advocacy.
3.4. more prone to being right brained. Love creativity in art, writing, music, and in my thinking.
3.5. Family history of heart trouble (maternal grandfather and my father)
4. Family, Friends, community, ancestry, heritage, chosen family, relationship to land and place
4.1. close knit family , mom and dad are still together
4.1.1. extended family on my mom's side is close as well
4.1.2. extended family on my dad's side is not as close -- all live in BC
4.2. one younger brother who I am still close with
4.3. married as of September 2019 to my wife
4.3.1. her parents are split up, adding some pressure into our marriage
4.3.2. provided some mental health support during when we are dating
4.3.2.1. positive home environment gave me confidence to pursue this program and career path
4.4. proud to be Canadian, but....
4.4.1. see need for major reform when it comes to mental health support in our healthcare system
4.5. highschool friends were very close
5. Learning, memory, personality, values, beliefs, attitudes, problem-solving, decision making, language
5.1. Christian influence growing up
5.1.1. taught me to love others more than tradition fire and brimstone preaching would have
5.2. value kindness over traditional success
5.2.1. "if you can be anything in this world, be kind" -- Unknown
5.2.2. belief in sacrifice and generosity even at the expense of yourself
5.2.2.1. lead to not caring or necessarily respecting my own needs as a child/teenager
5.2.2.1.1. put value in being "the nice guy", which wasn't always the most loving thing
5.3. overthinker
5.3.1. in this way I can be analytical
5.4. value family and strong marriage
5.4.1. conflict resolution is an interesting realm to me as well