Walk to raise awareness of mental toll on asylum seekers

Neil Para, his wife Sugaa and their three children have been living on Australian soil for more than seven years. But soon after being released from detention into the community, the government revoked their visas and with them, their working rights.

Since settling in Ballarat, the family has been reliant on charities and the generosity of community members to keep a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on their table. They receive no support from the government.

Sitting back and waiting is difficult for Mr Para, who desperately wants to work to support his family. In the meantime, he and his wife strive to give back to the community they love in the ways that they can - namely through various volunteer roles, such as with the State Emergency Service and at aged care facilities.

Aside from missing family back home, Mr Para's family has faced a number of struggles since fleeing from Sri Lanka but the uncertainty around his family's future and if they will be given protection and citizenship has caused him immense stress, anxiety and worry.

He is still frequently asked why he came to Australia and why he can't go back - the answer is that he and his family escaped a violent civil war in their country.

So they sought refuge in Australia, but in coming here, have faced a new set of challenges.

Mr Para said the government's actions were taking a serious mental toll on his young family and creating further trauma.

"We escaped the war and trauma but ended up in a different torture," he said.

"People think we are refugees getting everything from the government but we don't get anything and aren't allowed to work," he explained, adding it was especially difficult for his children who can't always do the same activities or go on the same outings as their peers.

It has resulted in exhaustion and unhappiness that makes it difficult to maintain hope for the future.

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National Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 20 this year. By this day it will be 2691 days since the family's visas were revoked.

To mark the day and raise awareness about the plight of his family and others in similar situations, Mr Para will walk around Lake Wendouree carrying weights to represent the burden he carries.

He will carry about 13,455 grams (about 13.5kg) - one gram for every day times five to represent the days himself, his wife and their three girls have suffered.

Other asylum seekers, refugees, community members and refugee support groups have been invited to participate in the walk.

Walkers will depart for the Walk for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum from the King Edward Pavillion at 12.30pm on June 20.

To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/300461534933417

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