Mental health support needs within Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities: a qualitative study
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 1 November 2021
Issue publication date: 21 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people within the UK and the Republic of Ireland are underrepresented within research and policies despite high rates of mental illness and suicide. This study aims to explore the mental health (MH) support needs for GRT people within the British Isles.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with nine self-identified GRT people.
Findings
The analysis revealed a longing for acceptance, both within and outside the GRT community; barriers to help seeking, specifically unsuitable services, poor awareness, stigma and distrust; and increased vulnerability owing to participants’ perceived lack of prospects and adverse life events.
Originality/value
Despite increased vulnerability, MH services are underutilised by GRT people for a variety of cultural and practical reasons. To reduce the current inequality, it is imperative that services take steps to increase accessibility. This study expands upon previous research by using the voices of GRT people themselves, creating a narrative built from their own emic perspectives. Unlike previous research, this study focuses exclusively on the MH of participants and includes participants from across the British Isles.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the GRT community for their support for the project; those that have shared the request for participants and particularly those who have kindly given their time to participate in this research.Ethics: Ethical Approval was provided by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education Ethics Committee of the University of South Wales.Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest Funding: No funding was provided for this work
Citation
Thompson, R.M., Stone, B.V. and Tyson, P.J. (2022), "Mental health support needs within Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities: a qualitative study", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 144-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-09-2021-0066
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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