Irish Travellers are overrepresented in the mental health services; they report a higher number of days with poor mental health and have a suicide rate 6 times higher compared to the general population in Ireland.

It is very hard for individuals and families who live at the margin of society to maintain a positive outlook in life and enjoy good mental health.

So what can we do to support Travellers in their journey to feel more socially included and improve their mental health?  It is important to recognize that Irish Travellers are a distinct ethnic group; also an improvement of all the social determinants of mental health would greatly improve Travellers sense of wellbeing.

An important element that has had a profound influence on Travellers mental health over the years is the existence of widespread anti-Traveller sentiments.

More specifically, Travellers are often blamed for missing appointments and a sub-optimal engagement with services.  We should ask ourselves: “Why are Travellers not engaging with the health services?  How can we re-orientate the way we operate to accommodate the needs of a community that requires extra support?”

Concrete steps could include Local authorities delivering on their commitments to improve Traveller accommodations; healthcare professionals being conscious of cultural differences and Travellers history of social exclusion; discrimination by individuals against Travellers being held accountable and anti-bullying programs being delivered in schools nationwide.

Here is a video on Travellers social determinants of health, produced by the Southern Traveller Health Network, which may be helpful for people to understand the root of Travellers poor mental health.

Young Pavees (Mind Your Nuck) has been developed for young and older Travellers and information on mental health issues is available at www.youngpavees.ie  and by phone on 01 8780255.

The First National Traveller Health Plan (NTHAP) was launched in late 2022.

All Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) will develop local implementation plans as part of for National Traveller Health Plan committing to actions to improve the health outcomes for the Traveller Community.  You can get updates about these plans from Traveller Support Groups or contact us here.

Torie (Traveller Talking): The Torie Traveller Specific Counselling Service is open for consultations over the phone, you can CALL, TEXT or send a CALL ME message to 0876379074 to arrange an appointment. This service operates in Galway only and supports in other regions are in links below.

Text ‘pavee’ to 50808 and Travellers in crisis can receive a call back to talk.

Traveller Counselling Service provides culturally specific counselling for Travellers, both in person and online at https://travellercounselling.ie/online-counselling/ or by mobile on 0863081476.

Exchange House provides Traveller specific mental health services to improve mental health and overall wellbeing and reduce suicide. They provide individual services to Travellers in Dublin, Offaly and West Cork in partnership with Offaly Traveller Movement and West Cork Travellers Centre.

West Be Well provides information and access on wellbeing, mental health promotion and suicide prevention initiatives for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Samaritans can be contacted day or night 7 days a week by phone on 116123 and the email is, [email protected].

Pieta are also contactable day or night 7 days a week on 1800247247 or Text “HELP” to 51444, or by email: [email protected].

“Kindness is trying to find the compassion to understand other people’s struggles.”

Anon