BEIRUT — The scale of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to deliver yet another devastating blow to the mental health of Lebanese residents after five years of accumulated trauma stemming from various disasters and other setbacks.

Israel and Hezbollah began exchanging heavy cross-border fire on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas launched its attack into southern Israel. The intensifying exchanges and concerns of an all-out war prompted population displacements in the south. The escalation of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon in the past three weeks has heaped uncertainty upon uncertainty, leaving the entire population of the country in distress.

The current war and Israeli invasion have severely affected the mental health of the Lebanese people, including those in the diaspora. Those in Lebanon live in constant fear — and many have experienced devastating losses — leading to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Meanwhile, Lebanese expats are dealing with their own emotional struggles, including a sense of helpless and constant worrying about the safety of their loved ones back home.

"The stress of being far from our families at such tough times heightens our anxiety," said Ferial Saab, a Lebanese expat in Australia who spoke with Al-Monitor by phone. "Everyday tasks, like going to work, have become challenging because our minds are constantly preoccupied with what's happening back home . . . Most of the time I find it hard to just breathe and disconnect because Lebanon is still our homeland."