When community really counts

Community plays a crucial role in supporting mental health and wellbeing, whether that’s where you live now, where your family are from or your chosen people around you. A sense of connection and belonging can reduce isolation, build resilience, and strengthen identity. For Gypsies and Travellers, the value of community is deeply embedded. It’s reflected in the open-door culture, the strong bonds between extended families, and the connection built through long-standing relationships. Being invited into someone’s home isn’t just hospitality, it’s a meaningful expression of trust. 

While cultural strengths such as solidarity, caregiving, and resilience are widely present, the challenges faced by Gypsies and Travellers remain acute. These communities continue to experience some of the poorest mental health outcomes in the UK. Rates of depression are more than twice the national average, and suicide rates, particularly among men, are disproportionately high (Cemlyn & Cemlyn, 2009). Further, according to national census data, Gypsy and Traveller people are among the most likely to provide more than 50 hours of unpaid care per week (ONS, 2011; McDonagh, 2024). While this reflects strong community and family values, it can also lead to significant emotional and physical strain. 

Compounding these challenges is the ongoing experience of discrimination. Many Gypsies and Travellers choose not to disclose their ethnicity, or identify with another ethnic group, to avoid racism (Cemlyn & Cemlyn, 2009). Persistent social exclusion, often described as the ‘last acceptable form of racism’ (Myers, 2022), contributes significantly to feelings of hopelessness and erodes self-worth. The limited recognition of Gypsy and Traveller cultures further undermines wellbeing (Cemlyn & Cemlyn, 2009). 

Recent legislative changes, the restriction of stopping places, and the decline of traditional fairs and gathering sites have also contributed to increased isolation. A national shortage of authorised sites has forced many into settled housing, leading to the loss of community support (McDonagh, 2024). These pressures, alongside structural inequalities and persistent media hostility, exacerbate mental health challenges that are often overlooked or misunderstood.  

Despite these challenges, the strength of Gypsy and Traveller communities remains a source of hope. Long before we began researching mental health within these communities, we were already providing community-led spaces and support, such as regular women’s and youth groups, advocacy, outreach and safe spaces for people to connect.  

Building on this foundation, our Don’t Be Beat report identified a clear need for more specialised mental health support for Gypsy and Traveller communities. Among several key recommendations, it highlighted the importance of co-production- ensuring services are developed in partnership with the communities, with meaningful and sustained engagement. In response, in 2021, we established a dedicated mental health support team, offering one-to-one support tailored to the unique needs of our members. We support approximately 30 members annually and will be welcoming a new full-time Mental Health Support Worker to the team this month. 

We’re also proud to be the only Gypsy and Traveller organisation in the North, and possibly the UK, to own our own building outright after 20 years. This space is more than just a physical structure; it symbolises our long-term commitment to the community. It stands as a reminder that Gypsy and Traveller people matter and that there is always a place for community, support, and visibility. 

This Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s crucial to recognise the fundamental role community plays in shaping mental health outcomes. While Gypsy and Traveller communities face significant mental health challenges, their ability to come together and support one another is a vital strength. To address the mental health disparities they face, services must acknowledge the cultural assets and lived experiences of Gypsy and Traveller people. Moving forward, we must continue to build on these strengths, ensuring that Gypsy and Traveller communities are not just supported, but empowered to thrive. Community gives people strength; but only when it’s properly protected, respected, and made accessible to all.  

References 

Cemlyn, S., & Cemlyn, S. (2009). Inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities: A review (Vol. 12). Manchester: Equality and Human Rights Commission. 

McDonagh, S. (2024). Understanding Mental Health and Suicide within Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities [Doctoral dissertation, University of Surrey]. 

Myers, M. (2022). Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Pupils and Mental Wellbeing. In Mental Wellbeing in Schools (pp. 37-47). Routledge.