Dr. Aileen Tierney:

I will move to some of the recommendations. We recommend a focus on young men in particular, who often feel displaced, are early school leavers and cannot access employment and education; a focus on supporting young women in families who are often isolated rearing children; and a focus on building trust. Members of the Travelling community have often experienced discrimination, racism and marginalisation and trust is really essential in service delivery. It requires respectful communication, valuing views and opinions, and honest transparent information-sharing to create dialogue and collaboration between settled communities and Traveller groups. We recommend respecting the history of oppression and healing that history; developing the ability to consider Traveller representation in all levels of society, school boards, health services, Government committees and political representations; and providing services that are informed by values of anti-racism, ethics and inclusion with mandatory training in cultural competency for all mental health professionals. We recommend providing a continuum of mental health services, from local Traveller-led peer support groups and information services to Traveller-led counselling services to partnerships with specialist services such as ourselves, to deliver culturally sensitive mental health services. We recommend devising a national Travellers' mental health strategy that is Traveller led; and resources and a personal commitment of Government representatives to address the history of exclusion, marginalisation and oppression of Travellers. Finally, I refer to shame as a call to action, and shame for the history in Ireland in respect of the appalling treatment of Travellers.