30-second bio: Caroline Sutton

Name:

Caroline Sutton

My pronouns:

she/her

Title:

HeadsUpGuys Toolkit Coordinator

Department/Unit:

UBC Psychiatry

Location:

Vancouver

Year I started working at UBC:

2020

Describe what you do at UBC in 10 words or less:

I work at HeadsUpGuys and Project Aurora, studying mental health.

What is the best thing about your work/role at UBC?

As the HeadsUpGuys Toolkit Coordinator, I get to do a bit of everything! I develop content for an up-and-coming self-help website feature, help maintain and grow our new Therapist Directory, write blog posts and articles, and contribute to mental health research. I also lead a ProjectAurora.ca initiative, the Mental Health Survey of UBC Students study, with HeadsUpGuys director, Dr. Ogrodniczuk.

What trait do you most admire in others?

I think empathy is an extremely important trait to cultivate - and a powerful tool. It's essential for understanding people and solving problems. Empathy is also at the root of HeadsUpGuys's mission to prevent suicide in men and reduce stigma, and at the heart of the Project Aurora Mental Health Research Team's mission to make mental health resources more accessible for UBC students.

What do you do regularly to invest in your mental and/or physical health?

I feel that my mental and physical health go hand in hand. I spend a lot of time on my computer doing work and research, so I try to make sure my free time is spent offline. I love running, cycling, martial arts, and spending time in the backcountry doing mountain sports. When I'm outside I feel a lot more mindful and at peace. I also love cooking and spending time with friends.

Could you provide the links to the resources you mentioned?

HeadsUpGuys.org is a program of UBC, operating under the leadership of Dr. John Ogrodniczuk. It's an online resource that supports men in their fight against depression by providing tips, tools, information about professional services, and stories of success.

Project Aurora is a registered non-profit, started by UBC students, aimed at supporting youth-led mental health initiatives.