Evaluation of a Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse: Service User Perspectives

Abstract

Irish Travellers are a small indigenous minority group with a distinctive lifestyle and culture which sets them apart from the general population. Travellers are vulnerable to significant mental distress which is exacerbated by the social disadvantage that they experience. A Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse (TMHLN) was introduced in one health care region in Ireland to provide support for Travellers and increase their access to mental health services. The aim of this paper is to present the findings from an evaluation which explored Travellers access to the and reasons for accessing the TMHLN, the interventions provided and their experiences of and perceptions of the role of the TMHLN. A descriptive qualitative approach was used.Ten Travellers who used the service were interviewed. Following data analysis, three themes emerged: factors affecting Traveller mental health; accessing the TMHLN and the Travellers experiences and perceptions of the TMHLN. The participants were extremely positive about the TMHLN and valued the support provided. The findings highlight how the interpersonal skills associated with mental health nursing set against recovery orientated and culturally congruent practices are suitable approaches when working with Travellers.

Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among Irish Travellers Presenting for Emergency Care

“…The high unemployment rate in the Traveller community may contribute to low mood (Abdalla et al, 2010): also described as a risk factor for suicidal behaviors among the Hungarian Roma population (Tóth, 2018). Other factors such as facing economic displacement and impoverished conditions may worsen the mental health of individuals (Keogh et al., 2018). Higher rates of substance abuse have previously been reported in Traveller communities (Van Hout & Connor, 2008).…”

“…Travellers have been reported to handle mental health issues by self-reliance, avoidance, and denial, with help-seeking stigmatized (Carew et al., 2013; Van Hout & Connor, 2008). There have been accounts of shame and intolerance to speaking about mental ill-health, especially in teenagers (Keogh et al., 2018). This, combined with reported negative interactions with healthcare workers, severely decreases clinical engagement and therapeutic outcomes (Keogh et al., 2018).…”

“…There have been accounts of shame and intolerance to speaking about mental ill-health, especially in teenagers (Keogh et al., 2018). This, combined with reported negative interactions with healthcare workers, severely decreases clinical engagement and therapeutic outcomes (Keogh et al., 2018). Distrust of healthcare services may discourage interactions with preventative services.…”

The role and activities of the Traveller mental health liaison nurse: Findings from a multi‐stakeholder evaluation

“…The aim of this paper was to discuss the findings from the evaluation of the role and activities of the TMHLN as found in this multi-stakeholder context. Service user perspectives of the role of the TMHLN from the same evaluation are published elsewhere (Keogh et al 2020).…”

“…To that end, a Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse (TMHLN) role was conceptualized, funded, and actioned. The remit of the TMHLN aligned with the local area health strategic plan (Ireland's Health Service Executive 2015) where its goals relating to Travellers were to, increase access to mental health services through referral and signposting; help alleviate fears and anxieties that Travellers may have about accessing mental health services through information and knowledge exchange; build the Traveller-related cultural competency of service staff, and; reduce the stigma and shame Travellers experience about using mental health services (Ireland's Health Service Executive 2015; Keogh et al 2020). There is a dearth of literature on the Mental Health Liaison Nurse role for marginalized minority groups.…”