Pyjama Project looks to bring ‘cozy and comfort’ to kids struggling with mental health

One Saskatoon girl is taking an awful experience and turning it into something she hopes brings others comfort.

“Over the last year I was admitted nine times into Dube, I spent over 90 days in the hospital,” said Taryn Hutchings, co-founder of TeensTalk YXE and creator of her new Pyjama Project.

Taryn is hoping to gather pyjama donations, saying it’s an opportunity for people to give to those who are staying at the Irene & Leslie Dube Centre for Mental Health.

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“I was there at one point in my life and I know how awful it is.”

Taryn struggled with her mental health and came up with the new project idea after her time at the centre.

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“It was one of the hardest times of my life,” Taryn added.

She said one of the added stressors was having to wear hospital pyjamas.

“They were super itchy, they were see-through and they just didn’t make me feel like me.”

She said people can donate pyjamas to kids staying at the Dube Centre to add just a little “cozy and comfort into their life.”

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TeensTalk YXE is a pre-existing non-profit created by Taryn and her mother Pam in October 2022, and through that organization, they will start the Pyjama Project on Jan. 1, 2024.

Taryn said through these donations she’s hoping to brighten people’s days while they stay at the Dube Centre and make it a more manageable experience.

“Our goal is to get 300 pyjamas per year so that every single new admission in (the child psychiatric unit at the Dube) would get a pair of pyjamas.”

Pam Hutchings said she already had connections with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, so she pitched her daughter’s project to them.

“Taryn has such a huge heart, she’s always been the helper girl who always wants to try and take care of everybody, she likes to even take care of me and her brother and her animals,” Pam said.

She added that people can purchase PJs through their website, and they are also open to people reaching out and starting a pyjama drive.