The Heart to Heart event brought together youth from across Regina — with a strong representation of Indigenous youth, engaged through culturally grounded sessions — to share their experiences, name the barriers that prevent them from seeking help, and describe what safe spaces look and feel like to them. This action plan synthesizes that youth-led feedback and translates it into concrete next steps for SCP — identifying where we already deliver on what youth need, and where we will grow our programming in partnership with the community.

This plan is intended for distribution to SCP partners and potential supporters as a transparent account of how youth voice directly shapes our work.

What We Heard From Youth

Youth were clear and consistent. Two themes emerged strongly: the barriers to asking for help, and what a genuine safe space looks and feels like.

Why Youth Keep Problems to Themselves:

• Shame, lack of safe space
• Stigma — fear of being judged or not believed
• Fear of consequences or punishment for speaking up
• Most youth feel they won’t be understood or no one will listen
• We have no concept of ‘normal’ — thinking we’re simply not good enough
• Not every parent is understanding; some may judge, yell, or punish
• Having learned that asking for help won’t actually help you
• Drugs directly affect dopamine and motivation, making it harder to seek help
• Lack of confidence; not knowing how or who to ask
• Bullying

What a Safe Space Looks Like:

• Free of judgment, criticism, and discrimination
• Comfortable, calm, & welcoming
• A place where you can be yourself
• Filled with people you trust who actually listen
• Connected to culture (Pow Wow, ceremony, tipi, cultural staff)
• Active and engaging — gyms, sports courts, rec centres

Services Youth Said Regina Needs

When asked what one service Regina needs, youth named the following:

• A safe place for teens to talk in person
• Indigenous voices and representation
• A place dedicated for Indigenous culture and practice
• Circles for Indigenous language and teachings
• Taking kids to ceremony twice a month to find adopted family and solace
• The RPS needs more native/First Nation people on the force
• A service that actually educates people on what mental/neuro disabilities look like
• More accessible education and counsellors
• A service that helps kids who are failing school and have no resources to help them
• Youth-only or specific AA/NA
• More transitional living
• Family homeless shelter / better welfare system
• Violence protection/prevention
• More fun activities
• Cozy spaces and nice people

Top Unsafe Locations Named by Youth

• 20 – Cornwall / Downtown
• 14 – North Central
• 8 – East End / Glencairn
• 6 – City Buses

Top Safe Spaces Named by Youth

• 30 – Home / Bedroom
• 19 – School
• 12 – Friends’ Homes
• 8 – Grandma / Siblings

What SCP Already Provides

SCP already delivers many of the services youth identified as needed in Regina. This section highlights our existing programs so partners and supporters understand the foundation we build from.

YOUTH NEED (FROM HEART TO HEART)

• Safe housing and housing stability
• Substance use support
• Mental health counselling
• Indigenous cultural connection
• Recreation and fun activities

SCP CURRENT PROGRAM / SERVICES

• Transitional housing and housing transition support for youth.
• Substance use groups (individual and group-based programming)
• Counselling services for youth
• Cultural programming including access to sweat ceremony
• Recreational programming and fun activities for youth

SCP’s Proposed Response

Youth-Only AA/NA Groups
Youth directly named the need for age-specific substance use peer groups: “Youth only or specific AA/NA.” SCP proposes adding a structured youth-only AA/NA model in partnership with existing community groups.

• Partner with local AA/NA chapters to establish youth-focused meetings
• Ensure Indigenous cultural values are integrated into group facilitation

In-Person Safe Talking Spaces for Teens
Youth named this directly: “A safe place for teens to talk in person.” Youth described safe spaces as places free of judgment where you can be yourself and talk openly.

• Dedicated drop-in spaces where youth can talk without judgment
• Staffed by trusted adults who listen without punishment or consequences

Mental Health and Neuro-Disability Education
Youth named this directly: “A service that actually educates people on what mental/neuro disabilities look like.” Youth also described barriers rooted in stigma and having no concept of ‘normal.’

• Education on what mental health conditions and neuro-disabilities actually look and feel like
• Destigmatization programming grounded in youth voice
• Accessible counsellor support

Indigenous Cultural Programming and Ceremony Access
Youth named multiple specific asks: “A place dedicated for Indigenous culture and practice,” “Circles for Indigenous language/teachings,” “Taking kids to ceremony twice a month,” and “Indigenous voices/representation.”

• Regular ceremony access — at minimum twice monthly, as named by youth
• Indigenous language and teachings circles
• Increased Indigenous representation in SCP staff, RPS, and public services

School Support and Education Navigation
Youth named this directly: “A service that helps kids who are failing school and have no resources to help them” and “more accessible education and counsellors.”

• Support for youth who are failing or falling behind
• Navigation support for re-engaging with education
• Accessible counsellors embedded in or connected to school settings

Violence Prevention and Safety- need community partners for this one
Youth named this directly: “Violence protection/prevention.” They also described unsafe public spaces — downtown, Cornwall, North Central, buses — as barriers to daily life.

• Violence prevention and safety programming
• Addressing unsafe conditions in identified locations

Housing and Transitional Living Support
Youth named this directly: “Family homeless shelter,” “better welfare system,” and “more transitional living.” Safe, stable housing was also linked to safe spaces — home was the most named safe space (30 youth).

• Family homeless shelter and housing stability supports
• Transitional living options for youth

Peer Mentorship Program
Youth did not explicitly name peer mentorship, but their responses consistently reflected the value of trusted relationships and having people who understand their experience. SCP proposes this as a response to those themes.

• Structured program connecting youth who have navigated challenges with those currently experiencing them
• Centres Indigenous mentors and cultural knowledge holders

Stigma-Breaking Group Series
Youth did not name videos or a specific talking group format. However, youth responses consistently described stigma, shame, and not knowing how to talk about struggles as core barriers. SCP proposes a structured response to these themes.

• Group discussions that normalize conversations about mental health and help-seeking
• Parent education on supporting youth without judgment or punishment

Our Commitment

The youth who participated in Heart to Heart were honest, brave, and specific. They told us what they need and described what safety means to them in their own words. SCP is committed to honouring that trust by acting on what we heard — building on what we already do well, and being honest about where we need to grow.

We welcome partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to youth safety, cultural responsiveness, and trauma-informed care. If you would like to discuss collaboration opportunities or support any of the initiatives outlined in this plan, contact Jeff Dudar at jeff.dudar@scproject.ca.