Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Mike Kasprzak, TATP Curriculum Developer
Kris Kim, TATP Sciences Trainer

Wondering about effective ways to refer a student in distress? Given your role as a frontline teacher, students will often come to you with questions about getting help or you will observe, engage and refer students who may be experiencing distress. Hence, you are in the ideal position to assist your students’ learning by referring them to available resources and services. This interactive workshop will be an opportunity for you to develop greater confidence in your ability to recognize and respond to student mental health issues. The workshop will help you: understand the U of T framework for mental health; explore some of the key guidelines on how to observe, engage and refer students in distress; identify specific strategies on how to begin and manage challenging conversations with students who may be in distress; locate some of the main resources—academic, safety and health and wellness—at the University and the wider community; and adapt self-care strategies for managing students in distress.