Understanding the signs of poor mental health with PrISSM to provide help and guidance

In 2025, the French government designated mental health, now a major public health issue, as a "Grande Cause Nationale" (a label given to a specific social issue of public interest and value). In France, it is estimated that one in five individuals - some thirteen million people - is affected by a mental health disorder, and the student population is particularly vulnera-ble. The transition to adulthood is linked to a number of upheavals that may con-tribute to the onset of psychological problems and even mental health disorders. Yet, studies show that many young adults don't always prioritise their mental wellbeing. A large number of them also claim to lack the resources to cope with such issues. 

At Université Paris-Saclay, the Student Health Service (SSE) takes the issue of mental health very seriously and has been offering a specially designed programme since 2023. Called Mental Health Preven-tion, Information and Awareness (PrISSM), it is designed "to help students spot the signs of poor mental health, either in themselves or others. It then gives them the strategies they need to take action, listen and, where neces-sary, refer individuals to the professionals," says Valérie Lelièvre, a psychologist at the Student Health Services who is involved in the deployment of the PrISSM programme. 

The idea for the project arose from a ministerial initiative which asked universi-ties to offer their communities the PSSM, an existing mental health first aid pro-gramme. "But two people from the Student Health Services took part in a training course and found that it wasn't quite right for our target audience of students. So, working closely with doctors, nurses and psychologists, we designed our own programme, offering a more appropriate response to their needs."

Using role play to find a way forward

There are two phases to the PrISSM programme. It begins with a seven-hour day, during which two SSE professionals present a morning module on spotting the signs of poor mental health, active listening and guidance towards the appropriate services. In the afternoon, it's the turn of a speaker from Crips Île-de-France, an association specialising in health prevention for young people. They introduce a second module on mental health "in a non-emergency context, covering emotions and internal resources using role-playing exercises," explains the psychologist.

At the end of the day, participants receive a list of resources with useful contacts, helplines and links to mental health guides in the Île-de-France region. One to three months later, a second event complements this first stage in the form of a half-day of role-playing exercises, led by a speaker specialising in forum theatre. "The aim is to explore even further," says Valérie Lelièvre. "Participants are confronted with challenging situations. They then have to work together and think about which levers to activate and potential strategies for finding a way forward." 

Although the PrISSM programme was primarily developed to encourage "peer support", "we don't know the mental health state of those who are involved," notes Dr Brigitte Caron, Medical Director of the SSE. "We've found that it's also useful for these individuals themselves because it gives them the resources to act if they're affected." Since 2023, some twenty sessions, financed by the Contribution to Student and Campus Life (Contribution Vie Étudiante et de Campus, CVEC), have been arranged, with a total of 272 participants. Dedicated ses-sions were also held as part of specific courses such as the “React, Rebound, Succeed” (Réagir, Rebondir Réussir, DU3R) institutional degree (see the Teaching & learning article in L’Édition N°26).

"We've seen a year-on-year increase in the number of participants," confirms Valérie Lelièvre. "We're planning at least twelve more sessions over this academic year, and trying to be present on every campus. Last year, we held sessions in Cachan, Sceaux, Kremlin-Bicêtre, Orsay Vallée, Orsay Plateau and AgroParisTech."

Sessions for staff working with the student community

Previously reserved for the student community, the PrISSM programme has recently been opened up to staff working with this same community. "In the field, when emergency situations arise, it's often the teaching or faculty staff who find them-selves on the front line with the student in distress. But they don't necessarily know how to put things into perspective, how to help or who to refer them to," explains Brigitte Caron. "If we don't work on both fronts, the solution remains lopsided and inadequate to address such situations."

After a pilot session in June 2024, five sessions were held during the 2024-2025 academic year, bringing together some 90 academic staff, along with international and disability advisors and other person-nel. "This confirmed our requirement and we will continue to offer this service in partner-ship with the human resources department," says Valérie Lelièvre. Four to five staff training days should be offered over the 2025-2026 academic year. The next sessions will take place in March.

• To learn more about the PrISSM programme or register for a session : https://admin-sphinx.universite-paris-saclay.fr/SurveyServer/s/wd8lch