An exploration of community-based mental health interventions for and with irish travellers

• Autor(a) principal: Scharf, Lina
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/29405
• topic: Irish travellers; Social determinants of health; Saúde mental -- Mental health; Community-led; Boas práticas -- Best practices; Determinantes sociais de saúde; Intervenções comunitárias

Studies have shown that Irish Travellers have a lower mental health status than the settled people in Ireland (McGorrian et al., 2013; McKey et al., 2022). The present study aimed at exploring community-led projects that promote mental wellbeing within the Traveller community. Moreover, important factors influencing the mental health situation within the community were examined, in line with a social determinants of health framework. Existing projects within the community and their characteristics were documented, following a qualitative approach. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with five participants who either belong to the community or have worked with its members regarding the topic of mental health. Participants were asked to elaborate on the goals and activities of their initiative and to give best practice advice for people who want to work within the community in the future. The results showed that the structural oppression of the Traveller community by the settled people must be considered as a major influencing factor of community members’ low mental health status. Secondly, participants advocated for a community empowerment approach, including the establishment of mutual trust and the building of collaborations. Lastly, participants addressed the need for a change of perspective to change the dynamics between Travellers and settled people, which entails researching the settled people and their role in the oppressive dynamics equally.