Psychological distress toolbox from Polytechnique Montréal

This toolkit was created in response to the needs of teaching staff, who expressed the wish to be better equipped to intervene with their students experiencing psychological distress. 

Four themes are covered, all explained using a variety of tools (visual cards, webinars and capsules). A checklist summarises the content of each theme.

THEME 1: WHY AND HOW CAN STUDENTS MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH?

1. Why is good mental health vital to success at school? 
2. What conditions promote good mental health among students?
3. What can the university community do to create an environment conducive to good mental health? 

THEME 2: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS?

1. How does stress lead to psychological distress?  
2. What factors cause stress? 
3. What happens when stress turns into distress?  

THEME 3: HOW CAN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS BE DETECTED?

1. What are the signs of psychological distress?  
2. When are students most likely to experience psychological distress?

THEME 4: HOW TO DEAL WITH A STUDENT EXPERIENCING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS?

1. How do I approach and refer a student experiencing psychological distress?
2. How do you react when a student expresses anger?
3. How do you listen to a student experiencing psychological distress?