Mental health is a universal experience, but access to meaningful care is not one-size-fits-all. In this episode, we sit down with Fahad Zahid, the founder and CEO of Sukoon Cares, a pioneering platform that is truly rewriting the playbook for accessible and culturally relevant mental health support for the South Asian diaspora.

Fahad shares his deeply personal journey, from grappling with a lack of language for anxiety growing up in Pakistan to navigating the pressure of a "duty as a son" while helping his immigrant parents acclimate in a new country. He explains why traditional Western therapy, often focused on "individual autonomy," failed to serve his cultural reality of valuing collective harmony over self-focus.

Key takeaways from our conversation:

• The Different Stress Architecture: Fahad breaks down the unique "stress architecture" in South Asian communities, revealing that the potential primary cause of divorce is often issues with in-laws, reflecting the complexities of multi-generational, joint households.

• The Three Pillars of Culturally Adapted Care: Learn how Sukoon Cares is addressing this gap by focusing on:

• • Language: Offering services in 13 South Asian languages.

  • Generational Context: Tailoring care to the distinct stressors of first-generation immigrants (survival) versus subsequent generations (identity).

  • Specialized Training: Ensuring clinicians are trained in culturally adapted models by leading advisors.

• A Community-First Approach: Beyond psychotherapy, Sukoon Cares builds community through nutrition, movement, and awareness events, including screening mental health-focused films.

Find out more about Sokoon Cares and their mission at www.sukooncares.com.Fahad Zahid’s Contact:

Website - https://www.sukooncares.com/our-story/

Resources:

Singh A, Shanbhag T. Parental Interference and Marital Stability: A Scoping Review of Sociocultural Influences on Indian Families. Indian J Community Med. 2025 Oct;50(Suppl 2):S155-S160. doi: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_470_24. Epub 2025 May 30. PMID: 41200687; PMCID: PMC12588131.

Continuing Education Courses at The Multicultural Counseling Institute - https://www.tmcinstitute.org/continuing-education/recorded-webinars

Enter “FRIENDS50” for 50% off CE courses!

Support this Podcast:

Donate 1-time any amount - https://checkout.square.site/buy/DFUO7XYMQ27EZ6QVUL6PC6FA

Music Samples:

Intro by Mikhail Smusev - Heroic Quest

Outro by Alex Kizenkov - Inspirational Cinematic Adventure