Saint John of God Hospital

05/01/2026

Grief is a profound and complex human experience that often leaves us feeling isolated and uncertain. While we may instinctively offer comfort to others, many of us struggle to know what truly helps when we are the ones in pain.

In the latest episode of The Stigma Shift, we're joined by Dr Sonia Pillai, Senior Counselling Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital. Together, they delve into the true nature of grief, exploring how it extends far beyond bereavement to include the loss of identity, dreams, and relationships.

In this episode, you will discover:
The Power of CFT: How Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and the "three emotional systems model" help regulate the intense emotions triggered by loss.

Breaking the Taboo: Why our "culture of productivity" often hinders the natural healing process and how to push back.

Practical Self-Validation: Why learning to acknowledge and honour your own emotional responses is the first step toward healing.

A Non-Linear Journey: Why there is no "fixed timeline" for grief and how to navigate the waves as they come.

Whether you are navigating a loss yourself or supporting someone else, this conversation offers the clarity and care needed to move forward while honouring what has been lost.

🎧 Listen now by searching for "The Stigma Shift" on your podcast app.

A thoughtful, accessible podcast from St John of God University Hospital in Dublin that aims to demystify mental healthcare and reduce stigma through expert conversations and relatable content. With each episode you get practical insights in a friendly, non-clinical tone. Whether you're personally e...

02/01/2026

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression linked to seasonal changes, most commonly emerging during the autumn and winter months as daylight hours reduce. Disrupted sleep, low energy, reduced motivation and persistent low mood can develop gradually, often going unrecognised or being minimised as “just winter”.
In a recent Irish Country Magazine feature with Niamh Devereux, Fergal Rooney, Head of Psychology at St John of God University Hospital, reflects on how the start of the year can be particularly difficult for some:

“While a new year can symbolise a fresh start for some, for others a lot of melancholy surrounds it: unfulfilled goals, regrets, a sense that they are not quite where they thought they would be in life. For some people, there is a lot of dread around this time of year.”

SAD is not simply a seasonal slump. For many people, it is a recurring condition that can have a significant impact on mental health, daily functioning and quality of life. Increasing awareness and understanding is an important first step in ensuring people feel seen, supported and encouraged to seek appropriate help.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year from St John of God University Hospital.

As 2026 begins, we want to thank our staff, patients, families and partners for the care, trust and support shown over the past year.

We look forward to the year ahead and to continuing our work together.

Wishing you a steady and positive start to 2026.

25/12/2025

Wishing everyone a peaceful and restful Christmas. This time of year can mean many different things, and it can be especially challenging for those who are grieving, feeling overwhelmed or managing difficult circumstances. We hope the day offers even a small moment to pause, take a breath and look after yourself in whatever way feels possible.

We would also like to take a moment to recognise our colleagues who are working today and throughout the Christmas period. Their commitment ensures that the people in our care continue to receive the support and reassurance they need. We are sincerely grateful for the compassion, dedication, and kindness brought to your roles, particularly at this time of year.

From all of us at St John of God University Hospital, we wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas.

23/12/2025

Family relationships are important, but they can also be complex. The Christmas period often brings increased time together, heightened expectations and fewer opportunities for space, which can affect mental wellbeing.

Feeling tense or emotionally tired during family gatherings does not mean something is wrong. It often reflects the impact of shared history, differing perspectives and the demands of the season. Planning ahead can help. Small strategies such as allowing breaks, limiting the length of visits or setting boundaries around certain topics can make interactions more manageable.

Protecting your mental health does not require perfection. It involves noticing your limits and responding in ways that support balance and stability.

If family time continues to affect your mood or stress levels, it may be helpful to talk with someone you trust or seek professional guidance.

17/12/2025

Christmas can bring joy and connection, but it can also amplify stress, expectations and family dynamics. At a time when communication matters more than ever, Scott Hill’s "Minding the Mind" lecture offers timely guidance on how families can strengthen understanding and navigate conversations with greater ease.

As a Systemic Couple and Family Therapist and Senior Social Worker, Scott outlines practical ways to create healthier communication patterns, support one another and reduce tension during periods that feel emotionally charged. His insights are particularly relevant as we move through the festive season and focus on maintaining meaningful, supportive relationships.

Watch the full lecture here: https://tinyurl.com/SJOGH

16/12/2025

Many people find that December feels mentally heavier than other times of the year. The combination of increased responsibilities, social expectations and the sense of finishing strong can place sustained pressure on wellbeing.

Mental fatigue does not always arrive suddenly. It often builds gradually, showing up as reduced concentration, low motivation or feeling overwhelmed by tasks that would normally feel manageable. Noticing these signs early allows you to respond with care rather than pushing through at a cost.

Creating space does not require major changes. Adjusting priorities, allowing flexibility in plans and taking brief recovery breaks can support steadier energy levels through the final weeks of the year.

If you notice ongoing changes in your stress levels or mood, it can be useful to talk things through with someone you trust or a healthcare professional. Paying attention to mental wellbeing now supports a healthier transition into the new year.

15/12/2025

Neuroplasticity describes how the brain builds new pathways based on experience. On Episode Four of 'The Stigma Shift', Dr Cremen explains it through a simple motorway image. When one route closes, the brain diverts to another. Over time the new route strengthens and becomes more efficient.

Our brains can adapt and relearn throughout life.

Listen to 'Neuroplasticity: How the Brain Adapts, Recovers, and Grows' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

13/12/2025

Christmas can bring added emotional pressure, even when things appear settled on the surface. For many people, this time of year highlights fatigue, uncertainty or a sense of being stretched, particularly after a long and demanding year.

There is no single way to experience the season. Feeling less energised or less festive than expected is not unusual, and it does not mean something is wrong. Often it reflects the need for rest, simplicity or a reset in routine rather than more activity.

Small, practical choices can help support mental wellbeing over the coming weeks. Keeping some structure in the day, allowing plans to be flexible and checking in with how you are really feeling can make the season more manageable.

If you notice ongoing changes in your mood, sleep or stress levels, it can help to talk things through with someone you trust or a healthcare professional. Paying attention to your mental health now is a proactive step that supports wellbeing into the new year.

12/12/2025

Last Friday, we were delighted to celebrate 12 newly qualified Mental Health Nurses from the Class of 2021, who have now completed their Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing at University College Dublin. This year’s ceremony held particular significance as it coincided with the centenary of nursing education at St John of God University Hospital, a legacy that began in 1925 when we became Ireland’s first recognised psychiatric nurse training hospital

That ethos continues today through our close collaboration with UCD, where students complete the academic component of their training while gaining hands on experience within our specialist services.

Over the past four years, this cohort undertook their primary clinical placements across child and adolescent mental health, dementia care, eating disorder recovery, intellectual disability services, and other core areas of practice. Their journey has been shaped by the dedication of the Nurse Practice Development Team, preceptors, Clinical Nurse Managers, and the wider clinical staff who supported them throughout their training.

We are immensely proud of the Class of 2021 and wish them every success in the years ahead.
If you would like to read more about our nursing graduation or our nursing education centenary, follow the link: https://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/information/resources/news

11/12/2025

“Pick one small thing and do it consistently. Try not to change everything at once.”
– Dr Clodagh Cremen

Improving brain health does not require perfection. It requires consistency. Dr Cremen encourages choosing one manageable habit and practising it regularly. This could be a short walk, a small routine change or a simple wellbeing activity. Small daily actions, repeated often, support lasting change in the brain.

Hear more in Episode 4 of The Stigma Shift, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

10/12/2025

The weeks leading up to Christmas often bring a mix of celebration, pressure and competing demands. For many people this means longer days, reduced downtime and an increased expectation to be endlessly available. These patterns mirror the cycle that Denise Mc Ginley explores in Episode Two of The Stigma Shift, where she discusses how ongoing stress without proper recovery can shift into burnout.

Denise highlights that stress, in itself, can be useful. It helps us meet deadlines, organise busy schedules and manage the natural intensity of this time of year. But when the pressure becomes constant and rest slips out of reach, it can begin to take a physical and emotional toll. Understanding that tipping point is key, particularly during a season when the pace can accelerate without us noticing.

If you want to explore the signs of burnout, the role of recovery and the difference between healthy stress and harmful strain, Episode Two offers a grounded and practical guide: https://podfollow.com/stjohn/view

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

A thoughtful, accessible podcast from St John of God University Hospital in Dublin that aims to demystify mental healthcare and reduce stigma through expert conversations and relatable content. With each episode you get practical insights in a friendly, non-clinical tone. Whether you're personally e...