Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1693. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to examine the distinct needs of young members of the Traveller community who are vulnerable to suicide; if any initiatives to train peer support outreach workers within the community have been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraParticular demographic groups have consistently been shown by both national and international research evidence to have increased risk of suicidal behaviour. Travellers are noted as priority groups in both the mental health policy, Sharing the Vision and the suicide reduction strategy, Connecting for Life. Both recognise the vulnerability to and increased risk of mental health and suicidal behaviour of Travellers, and that these should be considered in the way mental health services are delivered to Travellers.
Connecting for Life, the national suicide reduction strategy, continues to provide the framework for suicide reduction in Ireland. In November 2020, Connecting for Life was extended by four years to enable its continued implementation. The operation of the strategy, across a range of departments, agencies and the voluntary sector, is essential in our fight to reduce incidents of suicide and self-harm.
The numbers of deaths by suicide, by ethnicity, or within the Traveller community, are not provided by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), however we know from studies such as the All Ireland Traveller Health Study that suicide rates are higher than in the settled community.
The Traveller community are a key focus for a number of specific actions across Connecting for Life, including actions on suicide prevention training within the community and amongst front line staff, awareness raising, protocols to assist organisations to work collaboratively on suicide prevention and managing critical incidents, and support for targeted services at primary care level.
€300,000 was allocated for Traveller mental health in 2023 and is recurring funding, enabling the employment of 7 community support workers within the Traveller projects to focus on engaging the community with existing mental health supports, identifying gaps and consulting on future service developments. These actions reflect the priority status of Travellers in the Government mental health policies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life. Progress will also be monitored under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
In addition, as part of Budget 2024 I secured funding to include enhancements to suicide prevention and postvention services through the expansion of the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service; and to further roll-out the Traveller Counselling Service, which will have national coverage for the first time.
The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer (SBLO) service is delivered on behalf of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). SBLOs meet with the bereaved in the aftermath of a death by suicide, offering guidance, practical and emotional support and assistance in accessing therapeutic services. SBLOs provide essential supports in the aftermath of a suicide, providing both immediate support to the bereaved family, and also serving as a suicide prevention measure during a time at which there is heightened suicide risk.
The Traveller Counselling Service support Mental Health Services to provide a culturally inclusive counselling service to members of the Traveller community in line with National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, National Traveller Health Action Plan, Connecting for Life and Sharing the Vision strategic objectives. The funding delivered under Budget 2024 will allow this service to be expanded to a larger swathe of the country.
The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) coordinates the implementation of Connecting for Life, and funds partner NGOs to deliver essential training and services including bereavement services and therapeutic interventions.
One such agency is Exchange House National Travellers Service. With the support of the HSE NOSP, Exchange House provides a range of Traveller-specific mental health and suicide prevention services to the community. Their aim is to improve the overall wellbeing of Travellers and reduce the likelihood of suicide or self-harm within the community.
Budget 2024 also provided new funding to enhance Suicide Prevention and Postvention Services through the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service; and for the Traveller Counselling Service, which will have national coverage for the first time. The details of this are the subject of on-going discussions in the context of agreeing the the HSE National Service Plan overall for next year.
I welcome the increased focus in the area of Traveller mental health and I look forward to the progression of this workstream.
