Suicide stigma in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities

During a recent online discussion, NSPA members came together to explore suicide prevention and stigma within Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities. This blog post highlights key insights from that discussion. While not a comprehensive overview, it reflects on the main themes that emerged from our discussion. A huge thank you to our panelists Mihai Calin Bica from Roma Support Group and Rosie Hollinshead from Friends, Families & Travellers for sharing their insights.

Understanding Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities

The term Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) encompasses a wide range of communities, including Romany Gypsies (such as English Gypsies, Scottish Gypsy Travellers, Welsh Gypsies, and other Romany groups), Irish Travellers, New Travellers, Boaters, Showmen, and Roma. The barriers and challenges discussed in this blog post focus on the most disadvantaged individuals, while recognising the rich cultural diversity within each of these communities. It’s therefore not possible to cover the specific experiences of each community in detail here.  

Suicide in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities

Research on the mental health needs of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities is limited, but available evidence highlights significant unmet needs. Existing research shows disproportionately high rates of anxiety and depression within these communities.  

A 2024 study on ethnic disparities in suicide found that suicide rates for ‘Gypsy or Irish Traveller’ women aged 25-64 are more than twice those of White British women, while men in the same age group have a rate 1.6 times higher. 

As outlined in Friends, Families and Travellers’ (FFT) report Tackling Suicide Inequalities in Gypsy and Traveller Communities, GRT communities face heightened vulnerability due to poverty, unemployment or low job security, lower educational attainment, and insecure or culturally inadequate accommodation. These stressors, along with unpaid caregiving, financial instability from self-employment, and job insecurity in manual labor, can all contribute to poor mental health and increased suicide risk. 

Qualitative insights from FFT further highlight recurring themes such as the emotional toll on families, pervasive discrimination (including homophobia), lack of access to mental health services, and economic exclusion. Stigma around mental health and suicide remains a major barrier, preventing many people from seeking the help they need. 

The stigma of mental health and intersectionality

In GRT communities, mental health issues are often stigmatised, leading individuals to hide their struggles. Terms like “bad nerves” or “nerves playing up” are used to avoid openly discussing mental health problems. This silence is particularly harmful for men, who often face cultural expectations to remain strong and unemotional. 

Intersecting forms of discrimination – such as exclusion from healthcare, housing, employment, and education – further contribute to mental health challenges in these communities. LGBTQ+ people face additional marginalisation, experiencing rejection both within their communities and in mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces, which can increase their isolation and emotional distress. 

Religious and cultural taboos around suicide, particularly the belief that it is a sin, add to the shame, making it difficult for families to acknowledge or discuss suicide. These combined stigmas create significant barriers to accessing mental health support, underscoring the need for more inclusive, culturally sensitive care. 

Wider social determinants of mental health and suicide risk

Our panelists discussed the broader social factors that significantly impact mental health and suicide rates in GRT communities. Key social determinants include: 

> Economic exclusion: Many GRT individuals are self-employed or work in manual labor with limited access to stable jobs or social security. Financial instability and poverty can lead to stress, anxiety, and poor mental health. 

> Discrimination and bullying: GRT individuals experience the highest levels of discrimination in the UK. This daily exclusion and bullying in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings severely affect mental health. 

> Educational barriers: High rates of bullying and exclusion from schools result in low literacy and disengagement among young GRT people, reducing their opportunities and access to mental health resources. 

> Housing instability: Maintaining a nomadic lifestyle or securing stable housing is challenging, with forced relocations and a lack of legal stopping places leading to stress and social exclusion.  

Access barriers to mental health support

GRT communities can also face unique challenges when accessing mental health services, often leaving them unsupported during crises. Key barriers include: 

> Administrative hurdles: Proof of address, often required to access services, is difficult for those living nomadic lifestyles, leading to exclusion from healthcare. 

> Distrust of services: Experiences of discrimination and hostile treatment create deep mistrust in health services. Many fear engaging with mental health support could lead to family separation or further discrimination. 

> Language and literacy challenges: Low literacy, particularly among Roma, and limited English skills make navigating healthcare systems difficult. Lacking emotional vocabulary complicates communication. 

> Digital exclusion: With mental health services increasingly online, lack of access to devices or reliable internet excludes many GRT communities from support. 

Recommendations for reducing stigma and improving support

To reduce suicide stigma and improve mental health support for GRT communities, our panelists highlighted the following recommendations:   

> Cultural competency training: Train service providers on GRT cultures to foster culturally sensitive approaches and build trust. 

> Inclusion of community voices: Partner with GRT organisations in mental health initiatives to bridge cultural gaps and encourage engagement. 

> Simplify administrative requirements: Reduce the need for formal documentation, such as proof of address, to lower access barriers. 

> Accessible service options: Offer face-to-face services, flexible hours, and alternatives to digital formats to accommodate those facing digital exclusion or irregular schedules. 

> Culturally relevant outreach: Provide mental health resources in community spaces, in multiple languages, and through trusted GRT health champions to raise awareness and support. 

The NSPA member discussion highlighted the unique challenges of suicide prevention and mental health stigma in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. These insights underscore the need for tailored, culturally sensitive approaches to improve access to support. 

Have you worked with GRT communities or applied any of these strategies? How have these approaches shaped your work in addressing suicide stigma? Get in touch with us to share your thoughts.