The research employed a mixed-methods approach, including a literature review and extensive stakeholder engagement, culminating in the creation of several case studies. Six organisations offering mental health services to Gypsy and Traveller communities were identified as case studies for best practice, with 70 community members and 21 staff members coming forward as participants.
The review found that many of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people had experienced similar problems with their mental health, partly because they said they were often discriminated against by services, but also because they found that services did not reach out to them and make them welcome. Many people said that they did not understand things like going for help with mental health before things got really bad. The few who had gone to their local doctor for help had only been given pills rather than any other types of help, such as counselling.
The people we spoke to also told us that the workers they met in health and social care organisations seemed to know little or nothing about Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers and their problems. The workers agreed with these views and told us that their training courses hardly even mentioned Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.
Men were particularly unlikely to engage with mental health services, in part because mental health issues are seen as a sign of weakness. We also found that different kinds of services – such as drop-in services – are liked by community members. Even where these services are not considered to be mental health services, they can give people a place to talk to each other and can help with mental health issues.
Visit NHS Race and Health Observatory to read this report Return to the Insight Bank