Coordinator

Travellers in Mental Health

Biography

Colette Tuohy is the Mental Health Services Co-ordinator for Travellers with HSE West North West, covering Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. She brings over sixteen years’ experience in community development delivering outreach, information, advice and advocacy to support positive physical and mental health among marginalised communities, including Travellers, Roma, refugees, asylum seekers and people experiencing mental illness.

A core focus of Colette’s work is to support improved access, consistency and integration of Mental Health Services to meet the needs of Travellers.

This work involves engaging with individuals who may be reluctant to access services, and building strong, trusted relationships with Traveller organisations, community groups, and voluntary and statutory service providers. Her role centres on gathering the voices of service users, family members and carers within the Traveller community, many of whom have experienced suicide bereavement, homelessness, discrimination, poverty, domestic violence, addiction and social isolation.