For Iranian Americans in Northeast Ohio, the war in Iran and the Iranian government's crackdown on protests are taking a profound emotional and physical toll, even from thousands of miles away.
Hengameh Arjomandi, a research coordinator at Cleveland Clinic and an MBA student at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, hasn鈥檛 been able to visit family back home in 10 years.
She said the past few months have felt surreal 鈥� for her and a friend who is also Iranian.
鈥淲e could not sleep, we could not eat, we could not concentrate. Every hour I was just waking up full of stress and nonstop checking the news,鈥� she said.
The stress disrupted her daily routines, and she found herself turning to unhealthy foods and struggling to focus.
鈥淚 was unable to control or balance everything. A normal life was literally out of my control,鈥� Arjomandi said.
Mental health experts say 鈥� combined with fear for loved ones 鈥� can lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep disturbances and physical health problems.
Simin Jaballas, an OB-GYN with family in Iran, said the uncertainty is overwhelming.
鈥淲e are anxious here. The internet is shut off. Every couple of days they send a message that we are okay, but we cannot call them,鈥� she said.
The lack of communication and reports of arrests and executions amplify the stress, some say, and leave Iranian Americans.
Manouchehr Salehi, a longtime member of the local Iranian American community, said the emotional weight of following atrocities from afar is constant.
鈥淭he real heroes of this movement are the people of Iran. We are just supporting their voices, but knowing what they endure is very hard on everyone mentally,鈥� he said.
With few culturally specific mental health resources available in Northeast Ohio, many Iranian Americans rely on friends and informal networks for support. Experts encourage maintaining social connections, moderating news intake, practicing self-care and seeking professional counseling when possible.
Arjomandi said even small breaks from news have helped, as has keeping busy with work and school.
鈥淪taying connected with friends and taking short breaks from social media has been helpful, but it is still very stressful,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very day, we watch and wait, because the crisis is far from over.鈥�
