Purpose: Previous research has examined the suicide risk of the Irish Traveller population, but less is known about the prevalence of suicidal behaviours and thoughts of this ethnic minority group recorded at hospital level. The aim of the current study was to compare the incidence of hospital-presenting self-harm and suicide-related ideation of Travellers to non-Traveller patients and describe any ethnic disparities in the aftercare of their presentation.

Methods: A population-based study was conducted for the years 2018–2019. Data were obtained from the service improvement dataset of an Irish dedicated national programme for the assessment of those presenting to emergency departments (EDs) due to self-harm and suicide-related ideation.

Results: 24,473 presentations were recorded with 3% of the presentations made by Irish Travellers. Female Traveller patients had 3·04 higher risk for suicide-related ideation and 3·85 for self-harm, compared to White Irish female patients. Male Traveller patients had 4·46 higher risk for suicide-related ideation and 5·43 higher rates for self-harm presentations. The highest rate ratios for self-harm were observed among older Traveller patients [male: 9·23; female: 6·79]. A higher proportion of Traveller patients requested no next of kin involvement, compared to other ethnicities.

Conclusion: Given that Irish Travellers are at higher risk of suicide-related hospital presentations, compared to other ethnic groups in Ireland, EDs should be viewed as an important suicide intervention point.

[Includes in table 3 - methods used in self-harm acts and type of substance contributing to the ED presentation.]