Authorities need to do more to address the tragedy of suicide for Gypsies and Travellers - Bernard Cunningham

To us, we are born for this. But I can always remember feeling like I’d done something wrong. Was it my fault that I had been born into this life? How do you speak out when it feels you’ve been judged guilty of something without any trial?

We learned from an early age that we had to stick together, especially in schools. “We don’t want you here. Go back to where you belong.”

I had no idea what they meant. Where do we belong when everywhere you turn, it’s the same? I felt so alone if there weren’t other Gypsies but at least I had my brothers. I used to find the most quiet place and wait for the bell to go back to class.

I think this was the time my mental health and communication with others started to be badly affected. I didn't really talk.

I used to dream I was a ghost or that I turned into a bird and flew away. Or that I was born in a house and became one of them. Sometimes we did move into houses but nothing changed; to them we were still Gypsies, still not welcome.

I then always struggled with poor mental health, terrible depression and anxiety. Many times I have struggled with suicidal ideation – or thoughts of taking your own life – and didn’t trust talking to anyone about the way I felt for fear of being judged.

It never got easier as I got older. I tried different things to cope like music, guitar and jogging when I was able to. Often, just getting out of bed was a battle. What could I do when feeling like this? I didn't know about services to go to for help or numbers I could call.

After years of suffering, a lifetime of low self-esteem had finally caught up to me. I tried to commit suicide. At the time I couldn't even explain what I was feeling and told no one.

Eventually I got the help I needed but I had to reach crisis point. My experiences meant I wanted to make a difference because I saw how important it was to me to talk and feel I wasn't alone. I knew there were so many other Gypsies and Travellers like me.

For someone to say they are suicidal, or that they have even thought about it, takes real bravery. For someone from the Gypsy or Traveller community, it’s something you don’t ever really see or hear. However, our communities have a suicide rate six times higher than the general population in the UK; it’s a silent epidemic.

Gypsies and Travellers are known to face some of the most severe health inequalities and poorest life outcomes amongst UK populations. Average life expectancy is 50 years old, compared to the wider population being 79.

In Leeds GATE’s ‘Don’t be Beat’ 2020 report, we reported an average of six suicides per year affecting the Gypsy and Traveller population of 7,000 across West Yorkshire and cited a study which found Traveller suicide rate was six times higher than the general population.

Gypsies and Travellers have also been found to experience multiple bereavements by suicide – two to five family members on average.

I took a job as a mental health support worker and suicide prevention worker at Leeds GATE because I recognised this unmet need in the community of those who find it really difficult to talk about their mental health. Due to stigma and lack of tailored services, few get the support that they need.

This work is therefore vital to saving lives. Over two years we’ve aimed to reach as many community members as possible across West Yorkshire through outreach on sites, roadside, houses and community venues.

We have reached hundreds of community members, and given intensive one to one support to over 30, identifying factors that make people at higher risk of harm and suicide.

We believe national and regional authorities need to do more to address the tragedy of suicide for Gypsies and Travellers. When mental health support is designed around communities, it will work better for all. Action must be taken, to show our communities they are heard and their lives are valued.

I used to think my story was something to hide, a reason to be ashamed. But everyone in the community knows someone affected by suicide.

Family means everything to us, and the bravery of our community engaging with our work has shown we all want to have hope for our future generations.

Bernard Cunningham is a mental health worker at Leeds GATE.