Travellers up to five times more likely to commit suicide

Suicide rates among Irish Travellers are up to five times higher than the rest of society, a report found today.

A loss of identity and culture was blamed as a key factor for the high levels within the community killing themselves, especially younger men.

In the first study of its kind, it was found that those aged under 30 are most at risk and account for almost two thirds of all Traveller suicides.

The suicides most often happened after the death of a person close to the victim, and in 40% of those cases the original death was also a suicide.

Mary Rose Walker, a social worker with Wicklow County Council, carried out the research with funding from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

“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,” she said.

“However, public opinion of Travellers as inferior and as a threat has not changed, and Travellers face huge rejection from the settled population.”

The study found suicides among Travellers from 2000 to 2006 were more than three times higher than that of the total population.

The stark figure peaked in 2005 at more than fives times the national rate.

Men accounted for the vast majority of the 74 deaths during that period.

Just more than half of those who took their own lives had never married while a further 15% were separated or widowed.

The report said the type of accommodation was not a significant factor although the research showed families living on roadsides are at greater risk than those in houses.

Ms Walker said recent changes in Irish society meant Travellers have had to learn to cope with increased hostility, difficulty with identity, loss of culture and traditions and lack of purpose in life.

“Some attempt to conceal their Traveller identity completely,” she said.

“They are not fully accepted as part of settled society, they may no longer be firmly rooted in their own cultural and social traditions, and they have lost pride in their own ethnic identity.

“Legal restrictions and economic reasons have made it increasingly difficult for Travellers to travel and to keep horses, both activities being central to Traveller culture.

“For those without work, who have lost the traditions of travelling and keeping horses, there is nothing to do. Particularly vulnerable are single young men.”

Anyone experiencing distress or despair can contact The Samaritans for emotional support on 1850 60 90 90 in Ireland or on 08457 90 90 90 in the North.