Mental Health and Wellbeing
Gypsies and Travellers have amongst the highest levels of mental distress in the UK (Parry et al., 2004). Research shows that depression and anxiety, particularly amongst housed Travellers, is much higher than the national average and results partly from the frequent evictions, constant harassment, multiple bereavements and physical health problems that many Gypsies and Travellers face.
Friends, Families and Travellers have 2 members of staff who work specifically in the field of Wellbeing and Mental Health. Gemma Challenger, is a Wellbeing Support Worker across Sussex, and Lisa Bruton is a Community Development Worker (CDW) working in the West Sussex area.
On June 25th 2009 FFT hosted, in partnership with Rethink, an event on Gypsies and Travellers and Mental Health/Wellbeing, at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath. The event was very well attended with over 90 delegates from both statutory and voluntary organistions. Lunch was traditional Gypsy fare, while an acoustic band played Gypsy music. All the speakers were from a Travelling community and spoke movingly about their personal and professional experiences in mental health, highlighting the issues and making them “real”. We then had a series of lively workshops. The notes of this workshop can be found on the following link www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Overall Evaluation(1).doc
You can also download our short note on “Working with Gypsies and Travellers - a brief guide for mental health practitioners” www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Short doc on working with Gs & Ts for mental health practioners(1).doc
You can also read “I know when it’s raining” by Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group. Report of the Community - Led Research Project Focussing on the Emotional Health and Well-being. Needs of Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers, 2008. Download it here.
Finally, if you have not seen it already, we strongly recommend you watch “Sticks and Stones”, a DVD made by young Gypsies and Travellers that mental health issues and is a really good introductory resource if you are keen to share some of the learning with colleagues or teams. Copies can be ordered from us or from the East Sussex County Council.
