ZILAN ATMAI

Urmia_Physical deaths often preceded by a form of death within the structures of society, culture,ethics, and beyond, Suicide is a multi-faceted phenomenon, but in Irann today it is increasingly influenced by political and economic conditions.

Ongoing protests_particularly the killings that occurred in January 2026_alongside war and escalating economic pressures, have generated psychological trauma and complex collective emotions within Iranian society.

Scattered Figures and the Problem of Secrecy

Finding accurate and genuine statistics in Iran is nearly impossible. The secrecy surrounding data over the past decade has obscured the reality of many crises, including suicide. Based on available data, officially announced figures remain far from the truth.

However, a review of figures released by various institutions indicates that suicide cases in Iran have increased by 70 percent over the past decade.

Aylar M., a social worker, describes suicide as a worsening crisis. She says: "Suicide cases appear across all age groups, including children, but they are more common among women."

Speaking with several local sources in hospitals and clinics in Urmia Province, sources indicated that an average of more than 15 suicide attempts are recorded daily, while approximately 10 deaths by suicide were recorded in the last two weeks alone. These figures reflect a serious indicator of a deepening crisis.

Protests and Collective Trauma at the Heart of Society

Suicide can result from social trauma. The 2026 protests, internet blackouts, and instability across various aspects of life in Iran can be cited as examples of events that lead to trauma.

Narin K., a social psychologist, explains that psychological trauma in Iran is characterized by complexity and continuity, as the population's basic needs—primarily security and food—face increasing economic and political pressures. She believes that protesting the regime may expose individuals to the risk of losing these needs, or even threaten their lives, making fear and danger a constant and widespread condition. She notes that many no longer see institutions or official bodies as sources of support; rather, they feel they face crises alone, and that authorities stand against them when they try to express their suffering.

She considers that the repercussions of this year's deadly killings represent one of the most prominent issues that have left deep marks on society as a whole. Even people who did not directly participate in the protests can be psychologically affected by these events, because the human mind does not always draw clear boundaries between what happens to the individual personally and what happens to people they feel are like them or belong to their community. Thus, feelings of despair and helplessness that may follow large-scale killings can be devastating, and in some cases, their impact may increase the risk of suicide.

War and Economic Instability

Kimia D., whose words reflect a part of the emotions many members of society experience, said on this: "War causes a lot of anxiety, but after the protests I could not pinpoint my feelings precisely. I was happy to see the dictatorial regime weakened, but the lack of support, the war, and even the risks threatening our lives multiplied my anxiety many times over."

She explained that "hope for change was the only thing that kept us going. But now, with the continuation of the current situation and rising ambiguity, hope is no longer easy—especially since economic crises have become much worse than ever before."

Ultimately, individual narratives and specialists' discussions paint a picture of a society facing simultaneous and draining crises: from political and economic insecurity and war, to repression, instability, and the fading of a clear vision for the future.

Suicide cannot be attributed to a single factor, but the continuation of these pressures, through increased despair, psychological exhaustion, and the weakening of social support networks, can lead to a higher risk of suicide.

Under such conditions, the concealment of statistics and the restriction of dialogue about this phenomenon constitute, in themselves, part of the repression and the perpetuation of the crisis—a crisis that cannot be resolved through individual therapy alone, but requires change across various dimensions of society.