TeensTalk YXE was founded in October 2022 by Taryn & Pam Hutchings – a mother and daughter duo from Warman, SK. Taryn suffered an extreme mental health crisis beginning in August of 2022 which left her admitted 12 times to the in-patient psychiatric unit, totalling more than 90 hospitalized days.
Taryn was initially diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, her symptoms continuously evolved from all types of sensory and tactile hallucinations to overwhelming urges to self harm – resulting in overdoses and various injuries. She underwent countless medication changes and her symptoms continued to worsen. A diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder was eventually added which provided more questions than answers.
Her family felt the need to think outside the box and found the Amen Clinic in Los Angeles, California which housed a youth psychiatrist that specializes in Functional Neurological Disorder. The clinic takes a cutting edge approach to psychiatry by utilizing SPECT scan technology to measure the brain’s functioning. Taryn’s brain was part of 10% of patients that had incredibly over-active results. Taryn was given a new treatment plan that included medication adjustments in addition to other holistic requirements. This trip provided the family with much needed answers.
During this crisis, Taryn and Pam noticed a gap in services in Saskatoon – where were the support groups for youth struggling with mental health? Why wasn’t there more education and accessible information? Together, they decided to create the community they desired to belong to and TeensTalk YXE was born.
What does TeensTalk YXE do?
· Hosts monthly sharing circles for teens to support one another through their mental health challenges,
· Provides awareness about teen mental health through story-telling and education.
· Helps strengthen the understanding for caregivers around the importance of on-going dialogues with their teens,
· Shares their story in schools while providing resources and education on where and how to reach out for support,
· Macro goal: a Youth Mental Health Healing Center in Saskatoon that provides youth with the therapeutic tools and skills needed to remain out of hospital and to manage their mental illness symptoms in a home-like environment.
You can get social with them on Instagram and Facebook @teens_talkyxe, visit www.ttyxe.ca or connect with them at: info@ttyxe.ca
