INTERVIEW SCRIPT
Opening and Emotional State
Mee: Good morning, Yashika. Please sit comfortably. Before we begin, I want you to know that this space is safe
and confidential. You can talk openly here, without fear of being judged. How are you feeling right now?
Yashika: I feel nervous, but also a little relieved. I've been keeping many things inside for a long time.
Mee: It’s completely okay to feel nervous. Many people feel that way in the beginning. We will go slowly, step by
step. What made you decide to come here today?
Yashika: My class teacher noticed that I've changed. I don’t talk much anymore, and my marks have gone down.
She suggested that I meet you.
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Sadness and Daily Routine
Mee: That shows your teacher cares about you. When you think about the past few months, how would you
describe your emotional state?
Yashika: I feel sad most of the time. Even on normal days, there’s this heaviness inside me. I feel tired, empty, and
disconnected.
Mee: When did you first notice these feelings becoming stronger?
Yashika: Around the middle of the academic year. At first, I thought it was just stress, but slowly it became worse.
Mee: What changes did you notice in your daily routine?
Yashika: I stopped enjoying things I liked earlier. I don’t feel excited about school, and I avoid talking to people. I
just want to be alone.
Mee: What usually goes on in your mind when you are alone?
Yashika: I overthink a lot. I keep thinking that I’m not good enough and that everyone else is doing better than me.
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Confidence and Academics
Mee: These thoughts can feel very overwhelming. How do they affect your confidence?
Yashika: They make me doubt myself all the time. Even small mistakes feel like proof that I’m a failure.
Mee: Let’s talk about your studies. How do you feel about academics these days?
Yashika: I feel scared. Earlier I used to study confidently, but now I feel anxious. I’m afraid of exams and
disappointing my parents.
Mee: Do you ever try to motivate yourself, or does the fear take over?
Yashika: I try, but the fear is stronger. Even when I sit down to study, I can’t focus.
---
Family Stress
Mee: Can you tell me more about your parents and your relationship with them?
Yashika: My parents care about me, but they argue often. My father has very high expectations, and my mother is
usually stressed.
Mee: How do these arguments affect you emotionally?
Yashika: I feel responsible. I feel like I need to be perfect so that they don’t fight because of me.
Mee: That sounds like a lot of pressure for someone your age.
Yashika: Yes, it feels like I’m carrying everything alone.
Mee: Do you feel comfortable sharing your emotions with them?
Yashika: Not really. When I try, they say it’s just a phase or that I should focus more on studies.
Mee: How does that response make you feel?
Yashika: It makes me feel unheard. So I stopped talking about my feelings.
---
Friends and Social Media
Mee: What about your friends? Are they a source of support?
Yashika: I had close friends, but I slowly distanced myself. I feel they won’t understand what I’m going through.
Mee: Sometimes friends can surprise us with their empathy. Do you think you might try reconnecting with one of
them?
Yashika: Maybe, but I’m scared they’ll think I’m weak.
Mee: Has social media played any role in how you feel?
Yashika: Yes. Seeing others doing well makes me compare myself constantly. It makes me feel worse.
Mee: Comparison can be very painful. Have you ever tried limiting your time online?
Yashika: I tried, but I end up scrolling again.
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Physical Health
Mee: Have you noticed any changes in your sleep or appetite?
Yashika: I struggle to sleep at night, and I wake up feeling tired. I also don’t feel hungry most of the time.
Mee: Sleep and nutrition are closely linked to emotional health. We’ll work on small steps to improve those.
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Reflection and Hope
Mee: Thank you for sharing all this, Yashika. You’ve shown a lot of honesty and courage today.
Yashika: Talking about it makes me feel lighter. I didn’t realize how much I was holding in.
Mee: From what you’ve shared, it seems that academic pressure, family stress, and negative thinking have been
affecting your emotional health. These feelings are not your fault, and they do not define who you are.
Yashika: Hearing that gives me some hope. I thought I was just weak.
Mee: You are not weak. You are going through a difficult phase, and with the right support, things can improve. In
our future sessions, we will work on managing stress, improving your self-confidence, and helping you express
your emotions.
Yashika: I would like that. I want to feel normal again.
Mee: You will get there, step by step. You are not alone in this process.
Yashika: Thank you. For the first time, I feel understood.