Groups representing Travellers believe there is a 'mental health and suicide crisis' within the community.
The first meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues facing Travellers is taking place, which is focusing on mental health.
Watch the first Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community meeting today on #OireachtasTV - #seeforyourself #mentalhealth - click here for more information https://t.co/jliSXjh3fc https://t.co/kqh7QQ7EE4
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Dr Brigid Quilligan from the Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project says they carried out a survey of 61 local travellers ahead of today's hearing.
She says every one of them had been impacted by suicide: "All 61 respondents had lost family members or close friends to suicide. 5 respondents themselves had attempted suicide, 22 respondents are currently being treated for depression. Seven respondents were hospitalised in the past 5 years for psychiatric problems. The abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs illegal, drugs, gambling were named as co-existing problems ."
