Contents
- Lifestyle related illnesses and hypertension
- Cancer
- Mental health
- Immunisation
- Maternity services
- Children and young people
- Rough sleepers and homeless community members
- Introduction to the Roma health guide
- Barriers to healthcare for the Roma community
- System barriers
- Language barriers and communication
- Cultural barriers - Common health problems and vulnerable groups:
- Lifestyle related illnesses and hypertension
- Cancer
- Mental health
- Immunisation
- Maternity services
- Children and young people
- Rough sleepers and homeless community members
Mental health
Although high rates of anxiety and depression are reported [1] in Roma communities, they have low levels of access to mental health services. Talking about mental health is a greater taboo than any other health issue, although attitudes are changing among younger people. The belief that mental health problems are genetic and run in the family is common, and so they are rarely discussed for fear of damaging the family’s reputation or children’s future chances of finding a marriage partner. The community language Romanes lacks the vocabulary to describe common mental health problems like depression, anxiety attacks or a range of different emotions, which can create barriers to accurate self-expression and diagnosis.
A history of discrimination also affects attitudes to health professionals: some parents worry that if they seek help with mental health problems they will be institutionalised, or seen as unfit parents and their children removed.
Stress is a key external factor affecting mental health. A Leeds HNA from 2013 found that 89% of Roma respondents reported high levels of stress with common causes being financial or work issues. In a 2021 survey [2] of community members in London helped by Roma Support Group, many experienced job loss and financial difficulty during the Covid-19 pandemic, and reported having to borrow money or use food banks. Mental health problems for Roma patients may also be intensified by social exclusion, such as experiencing discrimination, stigma, or racist attacks. It is important to be aware that many people needing mental health support live in families with complex problems, and a holistic approach will be advisable.
Recommendations:
A history of discrimination also affects attitudes to health professionals: some parents worry that if they seek help with mental health problems they will be institutionalised, or seen as unfit parents and their children removed.
Stress is a key external factor affecting mental health. A Leeds HNA from 2013 found that 89% of Roma respondents reported high levels of stress with common causes being financial or work issues. In a 2021 survey [2] of community members in London helped by Roma Support Group, many experienced job loss and financial difficulty during the Covid-19 pandemic, and reported having to borrow money or use food banks. Mental health problems for Roma patients may also be intensified by social exclusion, such as experiencing discrimination, stigma, or racist attacks. It is important to be aware that many people needing mental health support live in families with complex problems, and a holistic approach will be advisable.
Recommendations:
- Avoid assumptions about what information Roma patients will have access to, particularly about mental health.
- Offer training for mental health professionals to enhance their understanding of Roma patients’ needs and enable more effective interventions.
- Offer treatment from a health professional of the same gender and age group wherever possible.
- Improve access to treatment for Roma people experiencing mental health issues (this could include one-to-one advocacy with bilingual advocates – for an example, see the Roma Mental Health Advocacy Project.
- Co-produce and co-deliver community based interventions to assist the Roma community and individuals to develop new ways of conceptualising mental health and wellbeing, and help overcome the stigma attached to mental health issues in the community.
- Co-produce and co-deliver community based interventions to empower Roma community members to navigate the health services and access support, while ensuring their sense of dignity and safety.
[1] p. 5, Roma Support Group: Roma Mental Health Advocacy Project (2015-21) Self-Evaluation Report (2021)
[2] Roma Support Group: Lessons learned: Supporting the Roma community through Covid-19 (2021)
[2] Roma Support Group: Lessons learned: Supporting the Roma community through Covid-19 (2021)
