St John of God University Hospital

St John of God University Hospital We are a non-profit mental health service provider in Ireland. Referrals are accepted nationally and internationally. Registered Charity Number 20069858.

St John of God Hospital retains a leadership role in developing innovative and effective treatment programmes for people experiencing mental health problems. In addition to providing excellent clinical treatment and care to patients and their families, we are committed as teaching hospital to training healthcare professionals and to conducting clinical research designed to enhance treatment progra

mmes to improve outcomes for patients and the overall enhancement of their quality of life. Service users care is facilitated by a multi-disciplinary team including Psychiatrists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists and Therapists. We are affiliated with University College Dublin for undergraduate and postgraduate education, Dublin City University for postgraduate education, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Irish College of Psychiatrists for postgraduate training in psychiatry. An extensive clinical research programme operates throughout the Order's Mental Health Services. Assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and care are provided in accordance with the highest professional standards and always in keeping with the ethos and caring traditions as modelled for us by Saint John of God. The core values of St John of God Hospital are Hospitality, Compassion and Respect. These values underpin our actions and decisions in the delivery of the highest quality, evidence-based care. The Hospital holds a certificate of registration with the Mental Health Commission as an ‘Approved Centre’ in compliance with the Mental Health Act (2001). Saint John of God Hospital Company Limited by Guarantee is a registered charity.

08/09/2026

What if you ask someone about su***de and they say yes?

Hearing that someone is thinking about su***de can be frightening, and it is understandable to feel unsure about what to do next.

First, try to remain calm.

Listen to what the person is telling you.

Take it seriously.

Give them space to speak without immediately trying to solve what they are experiencing.

You might say:

“Thank you for telling me.”

“I’m glad you told me.”

“I’m here and I’m listening.”

“Let’s think about what support we can get.”

You are not expected to diagnose what is happening or manage the situation alone.

In today's conversation, Dr Amy Watchorn and Lauren Watters look at what can help after someone tells you they are thinking about su***de, including listening, supporting and helping them connect with appropriate help.

You can support someone without having to carry the situation alone.

***dePreventionDay

“Relaxation itself can become something that feels unsafe, which is an awful situation that many people find themselves ...
07/09/2026

“Relaxation itself can become something that feels unsafe, which is an awful situation that many people find themselves in.” - Mark Molumby

For someone who has spent a long time feeling alert or under pressure, slowing down may not immediately feel comfortable.

In this episode of The Stigma Shift, yoga instructor Mark Molumby discusses relaxation anxiety and why a nervous system accustomed to vigilance may interpret rest as unfamiliar or unsafe.

The conversation considers how gentle, consistent practices can help people begin to experience rest without pressure, supporting a gradual return to calm and a greater sense of safety within the body.

Explore the full conversation here: https://share.transistor.fm/e/6a903d31

What can more than a century of history tell us about how mental healthcare has changed?This Culture Night, we’re openin...
05/09/2026

What can more than a century of history tell us about how mental healthcare has changed?

This Culture Night, we’re opening our doors and looking back at the people, ideas and developments that helped shape psychiatric education and care at St John of God University Hospital.

From our beginnings in Stillorgan in 1882, through the development of psychiatric training in the 1920s and the changing approaches to care that followed, Opening Doors: A Century of Medical Education explores a remarkable period of Irish healthcare history.

Join historian Dr Rebecca Watterson as she draws on archival research to bring some of that story to life.

Friday, 18 September | 7.00pm to 8.00pm
St John of God University Hospital, Stillorgan
Free admission

Book your place:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/opening-doors-a-century-of-medical-education-tickets-1998747748320?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

05/09/2026

Will asking someone about su***de put the idea in their head?

No.

It is an understandable concern, and one that can stop people from asking the question directly.

If you are genuinely worried that someone may be thinking about su***de, asking clearly and directly does not give them the idea to take their own life.

A direct question can give someone the opportunity to talk about thoughts they may already be experiencing.

You can ask:

“Are you thinking about su***de?”

In today’s conversation, Dr Amy Watchorn, Senior Clinical Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital, and Lauren Watters from Mental Health First Aid Ireland discuss why clear and compassionate language matters when we are concerned about someone.

Avoiding the word su***de does not make the concern go away.

Sometimes changing the narrative means being willing to ask the difficult question.

Start the conversation. Change the narrative.

***dePreventionDay

03/09/2026

World Su***de Prevention Day takes place on 10 September.

We know that conversations about su***de can feel difficult. People may worry about saying the wrong thing, asking too directly or not knowing what to do if somebody tells them they are thinking about su***de.

Ahead of World Su***de Prevention Day, Dr Amy Watchorn, Senior Clinical Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital, and Lauren Watters, National Trainer for the Mental Health First Aid Ireland Adult Programme, sit down together to explore what “changing the narrative” can look like in practice.

Over the coming week, they will look at some of the questions people can find hardest when they are worried about someone.

How do I start the conversation?
Should I ask directly about su***de?
What if they tell me they are thinking about su***de?
What does good listening look like?

On 10 September, we will launch the full Worried about someone? What to say and what to do next conversation and practical guide, developed by Mental Health First Aid Ireland in partnership with St John of God University Hospital.

Start the conversation. Change the narrative.

***dePreventionDay

This September, St John of God University Hospital is proud to support Shine’s Green Ribbon Campaign and help get Irelan...
01/09/2026

This September, St John of God University Hospital is proud to support Shine’s Green Ribbon Campaign and help get Ireland in Conversation.

Mental health stigma can make it harder for people to speak openly, seek support or feel understood. By creating space for open, respectful conversations, we can help challenge stigma and build greater understanding around mental health.

Wear the Green Ribbon. Start a conversation. Listen. Make space for someone to be heard.

Throughout September, we’ll be supporting conversations that encourage greater understanding and help people feel more confident talking about mental health.

Find out more about the Green Ribbon Campaign and how you can get involved at shine.ie.

Throughout July and August, we’ve been exploring how nature can support mental health, reflection and recovery.The messa...
31/08/2026

Throughout July and August, we’ve been exploring how nature can support mental health, reflection and recovery.

The message is simple: nature does not need to be dramatic to be meaningful. A short pause, a familiar path, a quiet sound, a change in light or a moment outdoors can all help us reconnect.

As the series comes to a close, we invite you to carry one of the practices with you. You can also return to Shirley Gleeson’s booklet or listen to her episode of The Stigma Shift wherever you get your podcasts.

Read. Listen. Try one practice.

Explore the booklet:https://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/downloads/St%20John%20of%20God%20Hospital%20Wellbeing%20Series%20Vol%205%20-One%20Health,%20Shared%20Future.pdf
Listen to the podcast here:https://podfollow.com/stjohn/episode/d42c96ad0352a08cead34946a696486e53cb5274/view

Our mental health is shaped by more than our individual experiences. The places where we live, work, recover and connect...
27/08/2026

Our mental health is shaped by more than our individual experiences. The places where we live, work, recover and connect can also influence our wellbeing.

The One Health approach recognises the connection between people, animals, communities and the natural environment. It encourages us to consider mental health as part of a wider, interconnected system and to reflect on how our surroundings can support health and recovery.

In her episode of The Stigma Shift, Shirley Gleeson explores this relationship and why our connection with nature matters.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://podfollow.com/stjohn/episode/bb890e3231b0b80f34ae7d1f1dda31ede53e2d48/view

26/08/2026

“Being well, to me, means being whole. It means trusting that I can cope with and love all the different parts of myself.” - Mark Molumby

Being well does not mean feeling good all the time. It means allowing ourselves to experience the full range of human emotions without seeing sadness, fear, grief or anxiety as signs of failure.

In this episode of The Stigma Shift, psychotherapist, personal trainer and yoga instructor Mark Molumby reflects on how his understanding of wellbeing has changed through his own recovery and his work in mental health care.

Mark discusses how recognising and accepting every part of ourselves can help us respond to difficult emotions with greater understanding, compassion and trust.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://podfollow.com/stjohn/view

The return to school can bring a period of adjustment for the whole family.New schedules, schoolwork, activities and cha...
25/08/2026

The return to school can bring a period of adjustment for the whole family.

New schedules, schoolwork, activities and changing responsibilities can affect how family members communicate and spend time together. During this transition, familiar disagreements may return, conversations may become strained, or different support needs may become more noticeable.

Understanding what sits beneath these changes can help families communicate more openly and support one another through the transition.

Listen to Scott Hill discuss communication, care and connection in couple and family relationships on The Stigma Shift podcast: https://pod.fo/stjohn/episode/46e643d8fae288f7786aa344b7ca5cccd4a19481/view

Learn more about Couple and Family Therapy herehttps://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/downloads/Couple_Family_Therapy_Booklet.pdf

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Stillorgan Road, Blackrock
Dublin
A94FH92

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