Problem
Ibraheem, his wife and two children arrived from Afghanistan via Peshawar, Pakistan this past winter after fleeing violence in Kabul due to the civil war. They arrived seeking asylum and made a refugee protection claim from within Canada's border. Ibraheem was fearful of persecution if he returned to Afghanistan as he worked as a translator for NATO forces in Kabul, and was seen as a traitor by some people close to his community for the work he was doing. Ibraheem and his family are currently awaiting their refugee hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board to see if they are eligible for refugee status. It is a cold winter and they had never imagined the winter could be so brutal. They are currently living with another Afghan family but they will not be able to stay with this family permanently. Ibraheem is looking for work, but finding a job as a translator is not a skill needed here. Currently he is working in a warehouse in the evenings, but doesn't get to see his wife or kids very much. His wife is taking English classes during the day and hopes to find work once her classes are completed. He is very stressed about finding housing, and a job that will support his family. He has a pharmacy degree from Afghanistan but has difficulty finding a job here. In addition, he is feeling anxious about the upcoming refugee hearing. He is feeling very sad and hopeless about the future.
Task
a) What are the risk and protective factors?
b) What is the impact of migration?
c) Do you think a diagnosed mental disorder exists? Or is this mental distress?
d) What types of supports do you think would be of benefit?
e) What kind of referrals would you make, if deemed necessary?