Launch of ground-breaking film; ‘Tell Someone’ in response to rising levels of mental ill-health amongst Gypsy and Traveller communities

From the Irish Travellers' Movement in Britain

In response to a shocking epidemic of anxiety and hopelessness that is draining the vitality and well-being out of many Gypsy and Traveller communities and families, the Irish Traveller Movement Britain and Flexible Films are launching “Tell Someone”; a ground-breaking educational DVD on Gypsy and Traveller mental health. The launch will be held at the Tricycle Centre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London; NW6 7JR on Wednesday 14th November. The screening and discussion will start at 11.30am and end at 1.30pm, followed by light refreshments till 2pm.

Yvonne MacNamara; CEO of the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain says:
“As their traditional way of life becomes increasingly untenable and in the face of hostile prejudice and discrimination, many in the Gypsy and Traveller community are increasingly falling prey to mental ill-health and developing symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, low self esteem and hopelessness.”

“’Tell Someone’ is a ground-breaking educational DVD about Gypsies and Travellers. It was made with the help of Gypsies and Travellers and is aimed at the Gypsy and Traveller community, as well as health professionals, mental health charities, service providers and campaigners.”

‘Tell Someone’ features Gypsies and Travellers talking about their mental health and recovery. It also features GP’s and other health professionals and mental health service providers talking about how they have adapted their services to be inclusive of Gypsy and Traveller communities.”

“Research from Ireland shows that the suicide rate for Traveller men in Ireland, is three to six times higher than the wider population. Anecdotal evidence from the UK suggests that similar rates of suicide in the UK. Irish Traveller Psychotherapist; Thomas McCann, says that the rate of suicides amongst Traveller women is rising to the same level as men. This is fast becoming a crisis for a vulnerable community that has difficulty accessing the help and services which many benefit from.”
Sophia Vale, Health Promotion Officer for the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain, says:

“’When they are feeling low, many Gypsies and Travellers tend to bottle it up and keep their problems to themselves. A lot of Gypsies and Travellers do not know how to access health and mental health services, and health service providers are not always that good at accommodating them and their needs when they do.”
“Tell Someone’ is an important first step in tackling mental health and recovery amongst Gypsies and Travellers. The aim of the DVD; Tell Someone’ is to open up a discussion and debate on Gypsy and Traveller mental health, both in the community and among health service providers and charities.”

Notes to Editor
Taken from ‘Suicide amongst the Irish Traveller Community’ by Mary Walker:
“Today, young Travellers have a lot more in common with their settled peers than their parents’ generation did, and to a certain extent, there has been a loss of cultural traditions as they take on the values of mainstream society. However, public opinion of Travellers as inferior and as a threat has not changed, and Travellers face huge rejection from the settled population. Some attempt to conceal their Traveller identity completely. They are not fully accepted as part of settled society, they may no longer be firmly rooted in their own traditions, and they have lost pride in their own ethnic identity.”
http://www.nosp.ie/book.pdf
If you want to attend the event: RSVP: Health@Irishtraveller.org.uk
CONTACTS
Mike Doherty; Communications Officer; Irish Traveller Movement in Britain.
Telephone: 0207 607 2002 / 07900 146 493 Email: mike@irishtraveller.org.uk
Sophia Vale; Health Promotion Officer; Irish Traveller Movement in Britain.
Telephone 0207 607 2002/07511 587 003 Email: Sophia@irishtraveller.org.uk