Urgent action needed to tackle Traveller mental health crisis

Following Monday's screening of the documentary Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost, Sligo Traveller Support Group have called for urgent action to be taken to tackle the mental health crisis in the Traveller community. President Michael D Higgins has also called on schools across the country to show then documentary to students about the impact of suicide on the Irish Traveller community. The film tells the story of 12-year-old Patrick McDonagh from Finglas in Dublin who died in 2022 and  features the personal testimonies of his parents and others impacted by poor mental health.

The documentary also explores wider challenges faced by the Traveller community and the devastating impact of suicide on those left behind. The suicide rate for the Traveller community is approximately 8 times higher than the general population.  The RTÉ/Alleycats production includes research by Dublin City University, which shows that 1 in 10 Irish Traveller children experience bullying more than several times a week. A Traveller Community National Survey conducted in 2017 found that 85% of the Irish public would not have a Traveller as a friend. Other contributors to the film include Senator Eileen Flynn and Director of the Traveller Counselling Service Thomas McCann.

Mental Health worker with Sligo Traveller Support Group Jamie Murphy said “Last night’s film was a hugely important piece of public service broadcasting. Suicide and poor mental health is something that impacts all communities and in the Traveller community it is beyond crisis point. We see it here every day in STSG with increasing numbers of people seeking support and that is replicated across the country. What’s crucial though is that there is urgent action taken to help tackle the crisis. This includes supporting Traveller community organisations sufficiently to continue their work on the ground but action also needs to be taken in areas which can contribute to poor mental health. Reports in areas like accommodation show Travellers are overrepresented in homelessness figures while many more live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. This needs to be challenged on a societal level. Such shocking suicide and poor mental health rates did not come from nowhere, they have come from generations of exclusion, racism and marginalisation in Irish society. We would also support calls for the implementation of a National Traveller Mental Health Strategy.  Murphy added “The  film could be upsetting for a lot of people and we would ask anyone that is struggling in any way to please reach out for support. Sligo Traveller Support Group is here to provide support in whatever we can or direct you the best place for appropriate help.” Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost can be viewed on RTÉ Player.