Stronger Together: Traveller Men, Mental Health & Community

Join us for a chill chat about mental health, community, and supporting Traveller men in a relaxed, friendly space. Limerick Travellers Together is delighted to invite Traveller men to its first gathering since the forum's launch in May. This important event will bring Traveller men together to connect, share experiences, have their voices heard and explore how, as a community, we can better support men's mental health and wellbeing. Presented by Olive O'Reilly, Founder of the Limerick Travellers Together Forum, and hosted in conjunction with Edel O'Donnell, Mincéir/Traveller Programme Coordinator in the UL Access Office, the gathering will provide a welcoming and open space for discussion, connection and positive action. The event will focus on men's mental health, recognising the importance of having conversations, building supportive relationships and ensuring Traveller men know that they are not alone and that support is available. A number of speakers and contributors will share information, experiences and updates throughout the gathering, including: • Employment and Training Supports: Eugene from Ballyhoura Development will outline the employment, education and training opportunities and supports available to Traveller men. • National Traveller Men's Forum: Representatives will provide an update on the work undertaken to date to encourage and support Traveller men to come together, build connections and support one another. • Limerick Suicide Prevention: An overview of the local supports and services available to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or those who need someone to turn to for help and support. • Online Presence, Racism and Discrimination: Shane McCarthy and Kris Stokes will lead a discussion on having a presence online and explore how hate speech, racism and discrimination in the digital world can have very real and damaging consequences in everyday life. • Supporting Traveller Men in the Community: J.P. Collins, William Lawrence and Thomas McDonal will share updates on the work they do to support Travellers on a daily basis, highlighting the important role of community support, advocacy and practical assistance in promoting men's mental health and wellbeing. Most importantly, this gathering wants to hear from Traveller men themselves. We want to create an opportunity for men to speak openly, share their experiences, identify the challenges they face and help shape the supports and conversations needed within our community. This is about more than one meeting. It is about building connections, breaking down isolation, challenging stigma around mental health and creating a stronger network of Traveller men who can support, encourage and stand alongside one another. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. You matter. Let's come together, start the conversation and build something stronger together.