Is there a section of the wiki that specifically describes how to work with Distress? I only updated the mod today and have to learn how to deal with it and am failing spectacularly (45 across my empire even though I'm moderately well developed throughout - as compared to my next highest of Poverty at 10 unhappiness). This is even when I've got most of my cities set to production - I don't know how to keep ahead of the curve as it grows.
Were you building needs-reduction buildings? Military buildings also reduce distress.