As conflict and unrest continue in Iran, many members of the Iranian community, who reside outside the country are struggling with feelings of guilt and helplessness. Research suggests psychological strain is common even as they are physically safe; fear for the safety of their loved ones can be debilitating. A recent study on Iranian diaspora communities has shown that increased emotional distress is related to ongoing instability in Iran especially when loved ones are at risk.

For many Iranians, threats to the lives of their loved ones are unending. Ongoing uncertainty, worsened by the inability to contact individuals in Iran, makes this experience complex and psychologically distressing.

This ongoing instability creates a form of chronic strain. Individuals are left in a constant state of anticipation, waiting for updates, fearing the worst, and unable to fully process what is happening. Psychologically, this can resemble ambiguous loss, where loved ones are physically distant or unreachable, leaving individuals suspended between hope and fear.

According to Kamyar Jarahzadeh, a clinical professional who has facilitated community care for members of the Iranian diaspora, one of the most psychologically taxing aspects of this experience is the absence of resolution. Families are unable to grieve as the threat of death to their loved ones is ongoing. “The current conflict is not as much a clean break from the status quo… as it is just a new layer of danger and instability,” Jarahzadeh notes. Even when moments of escalation pass, the underlying uncertainty remains.

Research on refugee and displaced populations shows that prolonged family separation is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and emotional distress especially when there is uncertainty about a loved ones’ safety.

For many, social media intensifies these negative emotions. Constant exposure to updates, videos, messages, and firsthand accounts posted on social media can lead to a cycle of endless distress. Further, watching events unfold in real time without the ability to intervene can deepen feelings of helplessness. However, many diaspora members feel that staying informed is emotionally necessary, as it is the only way they can support their family, friends and their community. A key feature of this experience is having mixed, often conflicting emotions. Many feel relief for their own safety while simultaneously experiencing guilt for being removed from danger. These emotional contradictions can be difficult to hold.

Jarahzadeh suggests that accepting the emotional contradictions of the moment rather than forcing a single response may be key to coping. Acknowledging the complexities of feeling grief, guilt, fear, and relief simultaneously can help individuals navigate periods of uncertainty. Support systems also remain critical to the well-being of affected communities. Maintaining connections with friends, family, and community can provide a sense of grounding during difficult times.

Reducing one’s social media consumption may also decrease emotional overwhelm. While staying informed is important, limiting exposure to distressing content can improve emotional regulation.

The experience of the Iranian diaspora reflects a growing mental health crisis. Through social media, people are exposed to the suffering of loved ones in real time without the ability to act. This creates a form of distress that is not easily defined.

— Niemat Yusuf, Contributing Writer

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