A rapid review of Irish Traveller mental health and suicide: a psychosocial and anthropological perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Irish Travellers are an indigenous ethnic minority (IEM) with poor health outcomes. Whilst they constitute less than 1% of the Irish population, they account for 10% of national young adult male suicide statistics. Methods: A rapid review of scientific publications related to mental health and suicide in Irish Travellers was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches of PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were performed. Eligibility criteria included: (i) Irish Travellers/Gypsy Travellers; (ii) information on mental health/suicide/self-harm; (iii) psychosocial anthropological perspectives of mental health; (iv) publications in english. Data on studies including design, methods, participants and key findings were extracted using a spreadsheet template. Results: From 5160 scientific references over the past 20 years, 19 papers made reference to Traveller mental health, and only 5 papers made specific data-based reference to suicide in Travellers. It was only when we qualified Travellers as being ‘Irish Travellers’ in our scientific review did we detect meaningful references to their existence as an IEM, and their health and well-being. Due to sample sizes and heterogeneity in design, results were synthesised narratively. Discussion: This paper draws together strands from the disciplines of psycho/socio/anthropological perspectives to gain deeper insights into mental health and suicide in Irish Travellers. In a knowledge vacuum, it behoves the scientific community to explain the value of scientific research and rigour to both policymakers as well as Travellers, shifting the existing discourse towards new knowledge and understanding around mental health and suicide in Travellers.

Case series: Psychosocial challenges of female youth within the Irish Travelling community

“…Statistics and focus group findings indicate the difficulties experienced by the Travelling community, 82% have experienced suicide of an immediate or extended family member, only one in 10 travellers continue to enjoy their nomadic lifestyle and 62% are unemployed (O'Mahony, 2017). Irish Travellers encounter the same challenges known to the general population and other minority groups in Ireland however they experience increased difficulties more frequently compared to other groups (McKey et al, 2020). Such challenges include discrimination, exclusion, domestic violence and limited opportunities in society (McKey et al, 2020).…”

“…Irish Travellers encounter the same challenges known to the general population and other minority groups in Ireland however they experience increased difficulties more frequently compared to other groups (McKey et al, 2020). Such challenges include discrimination, exclusion, domestic violence and limited opportunities in society (McKey et al, 2020). The reason for increased adversity is thought to be due to their treatment as third-class citizens in Irish society (McElwee et al, 2003).…”

Profile of people attending emergency departments with thoughts of self‐harm and suicide: A descriptive study of a nurse‐led programme in Ireland

“…Sociodemographic information analysed comprised of gender, age and ethnic background. The ethnic categories that the NCPSHI includes follow the Central Statistics Office categorization (CSO, 2016) and information on Irish Travellers, a nomadic minority of Ireland considered to have an increased suicide risk (McKey et al, 2020), is included. Specifically, the ethnic categories included are as follows: White Irish; White, any other; White Irish Traveller; Asian or Asian Irish—Chinese; Black or Black Irish—any other background; Black or Black Irish—African; Other, mixed background; and Unknown/Not Specified.…”

Examining Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Youth Engaging with Jigsaw for a Brief Intervention

“…Contextual risk factors identified previously include sociodemographic risk factors (e.g. low socio-economic status, minority sexual orientation (lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, pansexual; LGBAP), ethnic minority status, female gender) [24][25][26][27], family risk factors (e.g. adverse childhood experiences, high levels of parental criticism) [10,28], interpersonal risk factors (e.g.…”