Addressing the impact of social exclusion on mental health in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities
| Pages | 129-137 |
| Published date | 15 August 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301111165717 |
| Date | 15 August 2011 |
| Author | Annie Yin‐Har Lau,Michael Ridge |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Addressing the impact of social exclusion
on mental health in Gypsy, Roma,
and Traveller communities
Annie Yin-Har Lau and Michael Ridge
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at the impact of social exclusion on mental health in
Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller(GRT) communities and make suggestions for services needed to address
it. The context of significant financial cuts in public sector budgets in the UK and change in the
commissioning landscape mean there are significant risks of these vulnerable communities falling even
further behind.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors, both currently engaged in clinical practice, draw on
mental health and social work perspectives to review key areas in which social exclusion impacts on the
life chances of members of GRTcommunities. Some examples of good current provision areincluded as
is a case study which illustrates the problematic social context in contemporary relations between
traditional Gypsy/Travellers and the settled community, and the impact on family life.
Findings – Research findings from contemporary studies are cited, which show members of these
communities suffer significant inequalities in all health and social spheres.
Research limitations/implications – The GRT communities havenot been listed in census categories
until this year (2011).
Social implications – The paper will hopefully contribute to raising public awareness, and support
members of the community in participation in policy and decision making.
Originality/value – This paper arises out of interdisciplinary collaboration between a psychiatrist and a
social worker with the support of the voluntary sector. The discussion highlights the gaps in
commissioning arrangements and hitherto poor support for health and social care needs of the GRT
communities.
Keywords Psychological aversion to housing, Social bonding capital, Mental health, Social exclusion,
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, Social isolation, Communities
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Mental health issues for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities are not an area that
has received a lot of attention or research. A recent Irish Traveller Movement in Britain
conference, held in London in 2010, was entitled ‘‘Against the odds’’. The title illustrated the
overwhelming obstacles to social inclusion perceived by these groups in British society.
The IPPR estimated (Crawley,2004) there are about 300,000 Gypsies and Travellersin the UK,
of which two-thirds reside in housing. Emerging evidence from Accommodation Assessments
(Cemlyn et al., 2009) would appear to indicate that this is an under-estimate. Various
categories of Gypsies and Travellers(with different ethnic origins and histories) are included in
that figure, e.g. Scottish Gypsy-Travellers;Welsh Gypsies; English Romanies, Irish Travellers
and ‘‘New Travellers’’. Only certain groups of Gypsies and Travellers (who have been
accepted in law as ethnic minority groups following court cases in relation to discrimination)
are legally protected by Race Relations legislation. Their nomadic or sedentary status – and
whether they live in a caravan or a house – does not impact on the ethnic minority status of
DOI 10.1108/20428301111165717 VOL. 15 NO. 3 2011, pp. 129-137, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTAL HEALTHAND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAGE 129
Annie Yin-Har Lau is a
Consultant in Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry at
Oxford Health NHS
Foundation Trust,
Abingdon, UK.
Michael Ridge MA and
DipSW in Social Work is a
Community Social Worker,
Haringey Travelling
People’s Team at Haringey
Council, London, UK.
The authors would like to
acknowledge helpful
comments from
Margaret Greenfields who
kindly reviewed this paper.
Also, comments from
Thomas McCann of Traveller
Counselling Service,
Dublin and Yvonne McNamara,
Director of Irish Traveller
Movement Britain.
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