Iranian Family Trapped in Swiss Limbo as Son’s Mental Health Deteriorates
An Iranian family has spent over a year and a half in a collective shelter in Aarwangen, Switzerland, after their asylum application was rejected. The family, who fled Iran more than three years ago, now lives in uncertainty, with their 11-year-old son showing signs of severe stress from their situation. The boy struggles with nightmares, sleep disturbances, and nail-biting—symptoms his mother links to their unstable living conditions. While he receives psychotherapeutic support, she remains deeply worried about his long-term well-being. The family survives on emergency aid but still lacks any real sense of security. The family remains in limbo, unable to return to Iran yet without legal status in Switzerland. Their son’s health continues to suffer, while authorities and aid groups debate how best to address the broader challenges faced by children in emergency shelters.
