The role and activities of the Traveller mental health liaison nurse: Findings from a multi-stakeholder evaluation
File Type:
PDFItem Type:
Journal ArticleDate:
2021Author:
Access:
openAccessCitation:
O'Sullivan K, Brady AM, Downes C, Higgins A, Doyle L, McCann T & Keogh B, The role and activities of the Traveller mental health liaison nurse: Findings from a multi-stakeholder evaluation, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2021Download Item:
inm.12919.pdf (PDF) 241.9Kb
Abstract:
Irish Travellers are a minority ethnic group within the Irish state with a distinct culture and set of traditions. Travellers experience mental health inequalities, high rates of mental ill health, and structural and individual barriers to mental health supports. A Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse (TMHLN) was introduced in a healthcare region in Ireland to provide greater mental health-related support to Travellers. This paper presents a description of the TMHLN role following a multi-stakeholder evaluation. The research design was descriptive qualitative and the findings are reported using COREQ criteria. Thirty-four key stakeholders were interviewed individually or as part of focus groups. Thematic analysis generated two broad themes: the role context, and the specific activities of the role. Mental health nursing experience and understanding of local issues and services were key, as was use of language, building trusting relations, creating the metaphorical, and having the physical, space for working. Specific activities involved in-reach and outreach work, including one-to-one mental health support provision, delivery of education/training sessions to Travellers and service providers, (re)establishing links to specialist services, integrated and interagency working, and promoting cultural competency. The findings set out a role with a greater emphasis on the use of recovery technologies, having an emphasis on psychosocial interventions and self-care, and less focus on biomedical technologies, signs and symptoms, and clinical outcomes. This study contributes to knowledge on the role of a MHLN as this relates to working with marginalized minority groups.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/keoghbjhttp://people.tcd.ie/abrady4
http://people.tcd.ie/cadownes
http://people.tcd.ie/doylel1
http://people.tcd.ie/ahiggins
http://people.tcd.ie/kosulli7
Description:
PUBLISHED
Author: Keogh, Brian; O'Sullivan, Karin; Downes, Carmel; Brady, Anne-Marie; Doyle, Louise; Higgins, Agnes
Type of material:
Journal ArticleCollections:
Series/Report no:
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing;Availability:
Full text availableKeywords:
evaluation, liaison nursing, minority group, qualitative research, Traveller mental healthDOI:
https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12919Licences: