Dáil protest tomorrow to call for action on Traveller mental health

A protest is scheduled to be held outside the Dáil tomorrow, May 31st, as the National Traveller Mental Health Network (NTMHN) are demanding urgent action from the Government on mental health.

Fears regarding the mental health crisis facing Travellers have been steadily rising as further reports were carried out, many of which noted the significantly higher rates of suicide among the community. Young Traveller men in particular are experiencing a suicide epidemic in Ireland.

The Programme for Government included commitment to publish a Traveller and Roma Mental Health Action Plan, however this is yet to be completed.

82 per cent of Travellers have been affected by suicide. According to ‘Our Geels’ – The AllIreland Traveller Health Study (2010), 56 percent of Travellers reported that poor physical and mental health restricted normal daily activities.

39 percent of Travellers surveyed in prison had mental health problems for which they were being treated and 81 percent were currently taking prescription medication.

Today we are sharing Chris McDonagh seeking #accountability on institutional and individual racism directed at Travellers for generations. Feet on the street tomorrow 12 noon outside our Dáil. pic.twitter.com/BUNbzydEoN

— National Traveller Mental Health Network (@TravellersMH) May 30, 2022

Asked if there was a timeline for publication of the plan, the Department of Health said: “Publication of the National Traveller Health Action Plan (NTHAP) is a priority area for action in the HSE Service Plan for 2022.

“It is also a priority for the Department of Health. The Department met with the HSE in March to discuss the draft THAP and has given detailed comments on its contents. It is now with the HSE to finalise the plan.

“The Department of Health is fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to ensure the implementation of the plan by the HSE, once agreed," the commitment read.

“Further measures will be considered in the context of Budget 2023.”

Senator Eileen Flynn previously highlighted how the suicide rate is six times higher for Traveller women and seven times higher for Traveller men compared to that of the general population.

The life expectancy for Travellers is 15 years lower than their settled counterparts.

Only 3% of travellers live past 65. Tomorrow at noon outside the Dáil Éireann @TravellersMH will be protesting - with their symbolic Mental Health Wagon - and demanding accountability for the systemic failures of our State to support Traveller wellbeing.

Join them if you can. pic.twitter.com/xgghcTzIWY

— JCFJustice (@JCFJustice) May 30, 2022

The factors leading to a rise in mental health issues are suspected to be poverty, a stripping away of identity, cultural exclusion, discrimination, housing and healthcare inequalities, social stigma and educational problems.

The 2016 census recorded an unemployment rate of 80 per cent in the Traveller community, compared to 12.9 per cent in the general population.

An IHREC/ESRI report in 2017 found that travellers are 10 times more likely to experience discrimination when seeking work compared to settled people.

Around 24 per cent of Travellers live in severe housing deprivation, while 39 per cent live in overcrowded accommodation, and five per cent do not having piped water or sewerage supplies.

This became even clearer during the Covid-19 pandemic, when a lack of access to water and other hygienic and healthcare facilities caused problems.

The protest will be pressing for accountability from Government over the lack of culturally appropriate mental health services for the Traveller community.

The National Traveller Mental Health Network are holding a protest this Tuesday at the Dáil. Mags Casey and Rose Marie Maughan told us why. Feet on the Streets!
Listen now:https://t.co/LoNLmmnYte or search @EchoChambersPod wherever you get your podcasts. pic.twitter.com/oc52TCeabK

— TortoiseShack (@TortoiseShack) May 28, 2022

Culturally appropriate mental health services take culture into account for members of a minority or other ethnic group.

The norms, values and traditions of that group will mean the experiences of those needing counselling will be different compared to the rest of the population.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email [email protected].

A range of Traveller mental health supports can be explored at travellercounselling.ie.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, call 999/112.