Travellers are marking 'World Suicide Prevention Day' by calling on the Government to address the 'devastatingly' high levels of suicide in their community. 

According to a study carried out in 2010, just over one in 10 Travellers in Ireland die by suicide. 

Although that figure is 14 years old, little research has been done on the subject since then and it is still regularly cited by both politicians and medical professionals. 

Nora Corcoran from the Galway Traveller Movement described the levels of suicide in her community as “devastating” and told Newstalk more uptodate research quickly needs to be carried out.

“We have data from 2010 - but that only covers adults,” she said. 

“It indicates that suicide accounts for 11% of all Traveller deaths but what we fear is the figures today are significantly higher and that the suicide rates among male Travellers are at a crisis level.” 

Nora Corcoran. Picture by: Galway Traveller Movement.

Ms Corcoran said, despite the gravity of the situation, the community feels abandoned by the State and that their problems are taken less seriously because they are Travellers. 

“Incidents of youth suicide are becoming even more frequent,” she said. 

“If this was another section of society, a task force would be set up. 

“We’ve made recommendations, reports have been published - but this has not created the change that is so urgently needed.” 

A haulting site. Photo: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

As well as putting together a mental health strategy for them, Travellers want the Government to address other issues they believe have a negative impact on their mental health - such as discrimination, poor quality housing and high levels of unemployment. 

“The shocking reality is that racism is the root cause of the Traveller suicide crisis,” she said. 

“The racism and discrimination against our community can be traced back to the early days of the State. 

“It’s all about efforts to try to erase the Traveller identity - rather than embrace it. 

“The impact of this discrimination… it accumulates through a person’s life and it’s passed down through the generations.”

Any Traveller struggling with their mental health is encouraged to contact the Traveller Counselling Centre on 086 308 1476 or by emailing info@travellercounselling.ie.

There is also a mental health website, Mind Your Nuck, which was set up to provide culturally appropriate mental health supports for young people in the Traveller community.

Main image: Nora Corcoran. Picture by: Galway Traveller Movement.