Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haylin Dennison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Haylin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Last year, we opened a mental health clinic for teenagers called, “Spill The tea Cafe,” out of a response to the mental health crisis in our state. At Spill the Tea Cafe, we’re on a mission to save lives. We provide a safe, inclusive space for at-risk youth to receive free mental health services, including individual & group therapy sessions, and a place to hang out with kids who may be going through similar challenges. Our founder, a trans teenager who experienced bullying, created this clinic to decrease the alarming rate of suicide among at-risk youth in Hawaii.
My child and our founder, a trans teenager who experienced bullying, created Spill the Tea Cafe to decrease the alarming rate of suicide among at-risk youth in Hawaii. We wanted to create a safe, inclusive space for at-risk youth to receive free mental health services, including individual & group therapy sessions, and a place to hang out with kids who may be going through similar challenges.
We provide a variety of mental health services to at-risk youth, including individual and group therapy sessions, teen mentors, and monthly community events. But what sets us apart is that we also offer a fun and welcoming space for teens to hang out, play games on our PS5 or foosball table, enjoy free boba, and browse books in our library. By creating a destigmatized space where teens feel heard and supported, we hope to make mental health services more accessible and reduce the rates of suicide among at-risk youth in Hawaii.
It’s hard to pick just one highlight from our first year, but one event that really stands out was our Youth PrideFest event last summer. We had performances by our youth, tie dye art, and lots of BOBA. It was such a fun and empowering experience for everyone who attended. It was also a great opportunity for us to connect with the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaii and show our support for kids that are placed at higher risk when it comes to mental health challenges. This is due to the discrimination our kids face at school, home, church, and sports.
What sets us apart is our focus on marketing to teens and creating a space that is truly by and for them. We listen to the teens about what they want and need in a mental health clinic and do not make any decisions without consulting with our teen advisory council. We strive to provide a destigmatized space where kids can hang out, enjoy free boba, play games on our PS5 or foosball table, and even browse books in our library. By creating a space that is welcoming and fun, we hope to remove some of the barriers that teens may face when seeking mental health services and create a community where they feel heard, supported, and empowered.
Mat actually came up with the idea of it. He wanted to create a space that was fun and inviting for teens, and he wanted to have boba in the cafe. He also believes that mental health is about more than just therapy sessions – it’s about creating a sense of community and connection. By offering games and other activities, we hope to create a space where teens feel comfortable to just be themselves.
The most powerful highlight this year by far is the numerous thank you notes and messages from kids telling us that we have helped them and even saved their life. It reminds us of why we do this work even when the road ahead can feel very long at times.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Haylin Dennison, a licensed clinical social worker, mental health activist, and systems expert, is the ideal candidate to address the problem of physician burnout. With her expertise and deep understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & inner self-work she is uniquely equipped to create lasting change in the healthcare industry. Dennison is committed to advocating for systemic change to reduce the risk of physician burnout and improve the overall quality of care for patients. Her comprehensive knowledge of mental health, systems theory, and clinical practice allows her to develop evidence-based interventions and programs that promote resilience and self-care among healthcare professionals. With Dennison’s expertise, the healthcare industry can take a significant step towards addressing physician burnout and improving the wellbeing of healthcare professionals.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
I had to take out a personal loan to open Spill The Tea Cafe. The insurance company took over a year to get us credentialed so I had to get creative and started offering my therapy services to med students and physicians in order to keep STTC open.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
As a licensed therapist for physicians and medical students, I’ve seen firsthand the toll that the demands of the healthcare industry can take on mental health and well-being. The pressure to perform at a high level, manage heavy workloads, and provide compassionate care to patients can be overwhelming, and it’s no wonder that burnout and mental health issues are so prevalent among medical professionals.
What if we reframed the way we think about mental health and wellness in the healthcare industry? What if we saw prioritizing mental health as not only a necessity for individual well-being, but also as a key factor in improving patient outcomes and the overall success of healthcare organizations?
By investing in the mental health and wellness of medical professionals, we can create a culture that values self-care, resilience, and empathy. This not only benefits medical professionals themselves but also leads to better patient care, reduced healthcare costs, and a more sustainable healthcare system overall.
As a licensed therapist with expertise in healthcare, I’m passionate about helping medical professionals navigate the unique challenges of their profession and prioritize their mental health and well-being. By working together, we can create a healthcare system that is both compassionate and effective, where medical professionals are supported and empowered to provide the best possible care to their patients.
Contact Info:
- Website: spilltheteacafe.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/spill_theteacafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spilltheteacafehi?hc_ref=ARSFLMQUiQs3RXw4GLI4oNMgH-0kjJWAJVoVlod__ISj3N-JkNxm3oK_6g3suTX_6XU&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARCNBT9dD21ZZ40M1izTQmip-ELBgD_ISf8N90281mGGJWat4n6uX8SchmURJNw9Ks4SZXLF3pFRCqBudm2IoOTrDKhhawfbFk9cESsi3nUU6IUa8zCWP3cYp8oeb_3KvjOUZTiigAhdGhVjvoO4mg-cpInwraIlGIfEZ_okDriJKx9Re-R88EYjhPUBbrusJklmFIHVc9HwD7rq_85ZNo_GVPegLdB4Ilqfiuifdc6_II743pQ-RRW2SPltyBIMB444NYLjmB9v8jkwMDbSDhf7pGzMdQ_4_X_63Lj9tbg
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haylin-dennison-35405496
- Twitter: twitter.com/spilltheteacafe
- Youtube: youtube.com/spilltheteacafehi