The Traveller community has been rocked by two suspected suicides of children in the past fortnight, it has emerged.
Martin Collins of Pavee Point said one was a girl in the Midlands, while the second was a boy from Dublin. Both were aged under 16.
He told how the Traveller community was devastated by the losses.
Read More: Travellers gather outside Leinster House to highlight crisis in mental health
Mr Collins said: “People are really upset and there is just a feeling of despair, helplessness, hopelessness, because this is an ongoing issue of many.”
He said the issue of suicide in the Traveller community is now a crisis.
Mr Collins added: “For many years, the last 15 to 20 years, the level of suicide and attempted suicide in our community has gone through the roof.
“There doesn’t seem really to be any response from the State.
“Traveller organisations have been calling for the development and implementation of a National Traveller mental health strategy, which is actually a commitment in the programme for government. But nothing has happened.”
- If you or someone you know is affected by thoughts of suicide or self-harm, the Samaritans are on call 24 hours a day on 1850 60 90 90.
