Background and objective: Irish Travellers are an ethnic minority group, native to the island of Ireland, who experience disproportionately high levels of suicide and poor mental health as a result of decades of material deprivation, discrimination, and the loss of their culture and nomadic lifestyle. This research study examined the perspectives of Travellers on the factors and strategies needed to achieve optimal mental wellbeing and prevent suicide in their community.

Methods: A community-based participatory research approach was adopted. Seventeen Traveller peer researchers conducted thirteen workshops and five individual interviews nationwide with 87 adult members of their community (17% males, age range 18-73). Convenience sampling and participatory data analysis, involving the peer researchers, were employed.

Results: The findings point to the importance of promoting Traveller culture and identity, addressing the detrimental effect of discrimination and the right to equal opportunities and life choices. Community-based initiatives were also deemed essential by Travellers to promote their mental health and reduce suicide. The value of addressing the social and structural determinants of Traveller’s mental health emerged as a fundamental approach.

Conclusion: The study findings call for whole-of-government approaches and intersectoral strategies that have a strong foundation in Traveller culture, include empowering and strengths-based approaches and the provision of mental health promotion and community support based on a peer-led model of delivery. The key actions identified by Travellers support a greater focus on culturally grounded co produced mental health promotion and prevention strategies that complement mainstream treatment and recovery approaches.