Cultural identity 'critical' in improving Traveller mental health, new study finds

Cultural identify has been found to be a critical issue in the improvement of Traveller mental health. 

That's according to the results of a research study launched by the HSE Mental Health Service Coordinators for Travellers and the Health Promotion Research Centre in University of Galway.

'Traveller Mental Wellness Continuum: A qualitative peer research study of Travellers' explored the views of Travellers on improvements needed to promote mental wellbeing and reduce suicides in the community. 

Seventeen Traveller peer researchers were employed to collect data in 10 counties across Ireland through a number of group discussions and individual interviews. 

The data indicates the importance of factors such as Traveller cultural identity, the right to equal opportunities and life choices, and the detrimental effect of discrimination. 

Speaking at this week's launch, HSE Traveller Peer Support Worker and member of the Traveller Community, Julie Duke, said, "An overarching recommendation stemming from this study is the implementation of a national plan to address the distinct mental health needs of the Traveller community. 

"It’s vital that this national plan be spearheaded by Travellers themselves, with collaboration and support from both national and local agencies." 

According to study participants, cultural identity was viewed as providing a positive sense of identity, which was considered "critical" for good mental health and wellbeing. 

The importance of cultural expression was also noted as creating a positive sense of respect and self-worth. 

According to the study, participants expressed the difficulties in challenging cultural norms. 

Younger female participants in particular expressed that Travellers generally are "afraid to voice opinion" when it is critical towards the community. 

However, others acknowledged how "Traveller culture is also changing along with society" and noted that women in particular have more freedom to decide how to live their lives than in the past. 

The erosion of Traveller culture such as the nomadic lifestyle and the art of tinsmithing and keeping horses was noted as detrimental to the mental health of older Travellers in particular. 

One participant said, "My father never could read or write yet could do anything with his hands. He’d be all into
horses all things like that. There was plenty he could do even though he couldn’t read and write and his mental health was perfect." 

Regarding the younger generation, another person said, "They should pick up from what they’ve learned in Travellers cultural ways, like go out and do more things with horses and keep to their culture like." 

Others expressed that young people "don’t know what they are anymore" and that "their identity is lost". 

The study has recommended a need for the implementation of a national plan to urgently address the specific mental health needs of the Traveller community. 

It states: "There was a clear view that national plans need to be realised through a process that is owned and led by members
of the community and supported by national and local agencies." 

A need to improve Travellers’ mental health literacy, combat mental health stigma and improve mutual trust between Travellers and HSE service providers was also noted. 

Discrimination and prejudice was seen as having a high psychological and emotional impact, contributing to the marginalisation felt by many in the Traveller community. 

The importance of Travellers being able to "not only survive, but to flourish, have a sense of purpose and enjoy life" was also noted as being central to good mental health and wellbeing. 

According to the final report of a 2021 joint committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community, suicide accounted for 11% of all Traveller deaths in 2010, with the suicide rate for male Traveller seven times higher than their settled counterparts and the suicide rate for female Travellers six times higher than their settled counterparts.

It found that life expectancy is 15.1 years lower for Traveller men than for men in the general population and is 11.5 years lower for Traveller women than for women in the general population.