Mark Ward
Question:594. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there will be a Traveller mental health strategy developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43420/20]
View answerTuesday, 15 December 2020
Questions (594)
Written answers
The national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, sets out a whole-of-population approach to mental health service delivery. The policy's objective is to deliver interventions that meet the individual needs of a service user, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background. The policy recognises that priority groups, including the Traveller community, may need tailored interventions, including targeted campaigns, preventive outreach work and the provision of services that recognise and respond to diversity. This includes the development of culturally competent services and supports. This will be achieved in partnership with organisations working with priority groups, to increase effectiveness and impact.
Minister Butler recently met with the National Traveller Mental Health Network regarding Sharing the Vision . It was agreed that, as a representative group of the Traveller and Roma community, it would participate in the implementation structures of the new policy.
The National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC), which is tasked with responsibility for driving implementation of Sharing the Vision, comprises a Steering Committee, chaired by Mr John Saunders, (which held its inaugural meeting on 11th December) and an associated Specialist Group Panel. Of the nominees sought from organisations representing the Traveller community, including the National Traveller Mental Health Network, six individuals were appointed to the Specialist Group Panel.
In addition, The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is the Government policy framework for addressing health and other needs of Travellers and Roma. It contains over 30 health-related actions in four themes. The Department of Health and the HSE are represented on the steering committee for NTRIS and report on a regular basis on the various health actions.
The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, supports a range of targeted initiatives, programmes and supports to improve the health status of Travellers and Roma. These include:
- primary healthcare projects, counselling services, family support programmes, men's health projects and dedicated public health nurses and related staff;
- mental health promotion and suicide prevention services provided in a culturally sensitive manner, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
In November 2020, Connecting for Life, the national suicide reduction strategy was extended for a further four years from 2020 to 2024. The extension will allow for further implementation of the strategy comprising targeted approaches for those vulnerable to suicide, including members of the Traveller community.
The HSE employs a number of public health nurses and related staff to address priority health needs for members of the Traveller community. In addition, each Community Health Organisation employs a Traveller’s Mental Health Service coordinator, who is responsible for the implementation of agreed improvement programmes and projects specifically aimed at the Traveller community.