Ms Rashimi:

I thank members for their time.

I will share my perspective as a young person with the added experience of being undocumented. Growing up is hard on everyone. Particular challenges come from being from an immigrant background and being different. Growing up undocumented brings its own set of challenges to a sense of self and well-being. My fellow members of Young, Paperless and Powerful, a youth group set up by MRCI for undocumented young people, agree that there are challenges in accessing mental health care about which practitioners and policy makers need to know. I am sure the committee agrees that no young person should have to grow up with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders, a reality that hangs over someone's head every day in every relationship. Growing up undocumented means that fear becomes part and parcel of a person's daily life in dealings with the State, health care services and schools. If someone finds the resources to be able to sit down in front of a mental health care practitioner, he or she cannot mention his or her legal status because of a fear about the consequences. This undermines the healing process and the positive impact counselling and therapy could have. Growing up undocumented means that it is impossible to plan for the future and live the life we want. From the youngest age, the future is deeply uncertain. Progressing to third level education is unlikely because of the fees and paperwork barriers involved. Employment options are very limited and someone must settle for the work he or she can manage to find. That is a far cry from young people's aspirations and capabilities.

This has a hugely negative effect on a person's well-being, sense of self-worth, self-esteem and confidence. It is also a huge loss in human potential.