Leaders at The University Of Sheffield’s Persian Society have spoken out about the lack of support given to Iranian students struggling to cope with the ongoing conflict in their home country.
The society has set up its own ‘listening ear’ service where students can speak to committee members in their native language, Farsi, to ask for advice and support.
Speaking to Sheffield Wire, committee member Kian Eshraghi-Yazdi said he is frustrated that he and his fellow students are forced to plug the gap the University is failing to fill.
“It’s not like we are dealing with trivial things, we are dealing with the life and death of our families and our friends in Iran,” Kian said.
“It shouldn’t fall to student led societies to have this much responsibility when it comes to the mental health of students.”
Kian, along with another member of the society who wishes to remain anonymous due to the risk speaking out poses to her family, believes The University do not understand how serious and dangerous the conflict in Iran is for its students.
“The people in our society are at risk. While we’re half a world away, it is still not safe for a lot of people here. Our members have friends and family back in Iran and will return their one day.”
Leaders of the Persian Society claim they are struggling under the pressure from both their courses as well as trying to support their members who are fearful of what is happening in Iran.
The Student Union at the University of Sheffield said they have responded to the crisis in Iran and are helping those students affected by offering a fast-track support service.
Liam Hand, president of the Student Union, said: “We have worked with our SU Persian Society to facilitate a vigil, and have offered them further support in highlighting the issues surrounding the Iranian protests.”
Persian Society leaders challenged the claim the Students Union helped them organise the event, stating that while they granted permission for it to take place, there was no collaboration and feel they are taking credit for their work.
After seeking support from the University, one student said they were only offered a monthly art therapy session.
The Persian Society are hopeful upcoming talks with the Student’s Union will help to improve the support available.
