Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee On Key Issues Affecting The Traveller Community

Traveller Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed)

Ms Sandra McDonagh:

On the issue of having specific training for mental health professionals, what is needed is culturally sensitive training for everybody. Every professional needs to be trained in that respect. We provide training locally in Offaly and in the surrounding areas. There is training available and it is important that people are encouraged to avail of it, but that is not always the case. When it comes to education, it is important such training starts at the primary level. We need cultural awareness training with respect to identity and ways of living included in primary schools to include Travellers and for Travellers to be able to be proud to identify with who they are and realise they are not different from everybody else. Such training would be important in that respect.