President receives representatives of the National Traveller Mental Health Network

Thu 8th Oct, 2020 | 10:30
location: (Dublin) Áras an Uachtaráin

(Dublin) Áras an Uachtaráin

Thursday, 08th October, 2020

President receives representatives of the National Traveller Mental Health Network

Representatives from Traveller organisations met President Higgins to mark the first National Traveller Mental Health Day, organised to raise awareness of mental health issues in the Traveller community.

The Traveller community is disproportionately affected by suicide and poor mental health, with suicide rates at least 7 times higher for Traveller men and 6 times higher for Traveller women than among settled communities.

Nancy Power, Thomas McCann and Margaret McDonagh presented the President with a hazel tree, symbol of Travellers' strength, history and resilience.

President Higgins invited his guests to ring the Peace Bell at Áras an Uachtaráin.

 

 

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