Mental Health Assessment Assignment Asad

Summary

Asad, a 21-year-old culinary student from Pakistan, grapples with feelings of depression and disconnection since moving to Canada. He struggles with online classes, familial expectations, and his brother Yasser’s autism, while coping with the pandemic's impact on his mental health. Despite using marijuana as a temporary escape, he yearns for motivation and a sense of purpose. Asad reflects on his relationships, particularly with his family and a friend named Maryam, and expresses a desire to improve his situation, reconnect with friends, and support his family amidst personal and cultural challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Asad is a 21-year-old culinary student from Pakistan living in Canada with his family.
• 😀 He struggles with motivation and focus, particularly in virtual classes due to distractions at home.
• 😀 Asad feels overwhelmed and sad since the pandemic, often preferring to stay in his room playing video games or watching movies.
• 😀 He has sought counseling services at his college after being encouraged by a professor.
• 😀 Asad uses weed as a coping mechanism but is conflicted about its effects and cultural implications.
• 😀 He feels guilty about lying to his parents about his mental health and substance use.
• 😀 Asad helps care for his younger brother Yasser, who has autism, and feels pressure to support his family.
• 😀 He experiences physical symptoms like nausea and has faced criticism from his doctor regarding his weed use.
• 😀 Asad finds solace in prayer and community events but feels judged and hesitant to open up about his struggles.
• 😀 He desires to reconnect with friends, improve his well-being, and ultimately help his family financially.

Q & A

What motivated Asad's family to move to Canada?

Asad's family moved to Canada seeking better opportunities, especially for his younger brother Yasser, who was experiencing difficulties.

What challenges has Asad faced with online classes?

Asad struggled with focusing during virtual classes due to lack of privacy, distractions at home, and slow internet, which made it easy for him to lose interest and turn to other activities like video games.

What prompted Asad to seek counseling?

Asad's professor noticed changes in his behavior and suggested he seek counseling after Asad expressed difficulty focusing and feeling down since the pandemic.

How does Asad describe his emotional state?

Asad describes feeling sad, unmotivated, and frustrated, often having a hard time getting out of bed and feeling like he is not contributing to his family.

What role does marijuana play in Asad's life?

Asad uses marijuana as a coping mechanism to alleviate his feelings of sadness and frustration, although he is conflicted about its use due to cultural beliefs and its impact on his health.

What familial pressures does Asad feel?

Asad feels pressure not to worry his parents about his struggles, fearing they might view him as a burden, especially since his father works long hours and his mother is limited in her teaching opportunities.

How does Asad feel about his responsibilities towards Yasser?

Asad feels a sense of duty to take care of Yasser, especially given his brother's autism, but he also worries that he hasn't been doing his best in supporting him academically and socially.

What coping mechanisms does Asad employ?

Asad engages in various coping mechanisms, including prayer, nature walks with Yasser, and spending time playing video games or watching movies, although he recognizes that these may not be the healthiest options.

How does Asad perceive the stigma around mental health in his culture?

Asad acknowledges that discussing mental health issues is difficult in his culture, particularly given the traumatic history of his aunt's suicide, which adds pressure not to show vulnerability.

What are Asad's goals moving forward?

Asad wants to feel more motivated, take better care of himself and Yasser, complete his culinary program, find a job to help his family, and reconnect with friends, particularly a girl named Maryam.