Introducing Suzette McLarty!

Suzette McLarty is one of our amazing new video counsellors that we're thrilled to have on board. She's kind and funny, with a knack for putting people at ease. We sat down with her for a fun Q&A, and this is what we learned.

When did something start out badly for you but in the end, it was great?

I went back to school as a mature student after being out of school for many, many years. Having to write tons of academic papers... started off very badly. I questioned whether or not I would finish school. I am glad I didn’t get discouraged. I had a lot of great people supporting and guiding me and I managed to graduate with distinction. Tough times don’t last...Tough people do!

What are some red flags to watch out for in daily life?

We live in such a fast-paced society. Time goes by so fast. Make sure you are taking time for the things that are important to you and taking time for self- care.  

What social stigma does society need to get over?

While there have been improvements with initiatives like Bell Let's Talk, mental health is still such a stigma in our society. People are still ashamed and embarrassed to get help. Getting help for a mental health issue should be no different than getting a pair of glasses to help you see better.  

In the past people were buried with the items they would need in the afterlife, what would you want buried with you so you could use it in the afterlife?

I hope there is coffee in the afterlife.

How do you judge a person?

I judge a person on how they treat other people. You never know when you meet someone what they may be going through, or what they have gone through. Sometimes taking that minute to tune in and approach someone with understanding can change an interaction. When I work with someone I always think, what if this was my mother, or father? How would I want them to be treated? 

Do you think that children born today will have better or worse lives than their parents?

I think that children born today have a lot of things a lot easier than when I was a kid. My daughter will never know what its like to have to do research with an Encyclopedia (the book). With the internet age (oh gosh, I sound like my parents) information is so accessible. That being said I think that technology has made it harder for children to develop good communication skills like how to engage and have dialogue with each other in real time.

If you could have an all-expenses paid trip to see any famous world monument, which monument would you choose?

I would want to explore space. I am fascinated by the vastness and infinite wonders of our universe. The planet we live on is a speck of sand in the vastness. “There are more stars in our Universe than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.” When I think of life from that perspective it makes my day to day worries pretty small. 

What’s the most ridiculous thing you have bought?

Sauna Belt (Some of you will have to Google that one). 

[PAUSE] Cali here! (I'm the one who asks the questions.) I took the liberty of Googling this for you. Click here!

What habit do you have now that you wish you started much earlier?

I have developed an “I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it” attitude now that I wish I had much earlier. I have taken more risks and accomplished more goals now than when I use to “what if” myself. I wasted a lot of time what if – ing.