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.

25/06/2026

"Once the heart rate went over a hundred beats per minute, the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking begins to shut down." - Scott Hill

Stress affects more than how we feel. It can also influence how we communicate, listen and respond to the people around us.

In this episode of The Stigma Shift, Scott Hill discusses how stress and exhaustion can impact relationships and why communication often becomes more difficult when people are overwhelmed.

The conversation also explores the importance of finding the right time and space for important discussions, particularly during periods of increased pressure or change.

Listen to the latest episode of The Stigma Shift here: https://pod.fo/e/424311

“We have to move towards supporting people who are using drugs and who can be helped.”Professor Colin O’Gara joined News...
24/06/2026

“We have to move towards supporting people who are using drugs and who can be helped.”

Professor Colin O’Gara joined Newstalk to discuss the Oireachtas committee recommendation on the decriminalisation of possession of drugs for personal use.

In the interview, he spoke about why a health-led approach matters, particularly for people experiencing addiction who may already face stigma, shame and barriers to accessing care.

Listen to the full interview here: https://soundcloud.com/stjohnofgodhospital/professor-colin-ogara-on-a

"My job in the therapy space, to sum it all up, is to create a kind of experience, a different type of conversation, rea...
22/06/2026

"My job in the therapy space, to sum it all up, is to create a kind of experience, a different type of conversation, really, that brings a bit of difference and a bit of hope and a bit of life." – Scott Hill

Many families and couples seek support when they find themselves having the same conversations or facing the same difficulties repeatedly.

In this episode of The Stigma Shift, Scott Hill discusses how family therapy can help create space for different conversations. By exploring relational patterns and encouraging curiosity, people can begin to better understand one another's experiences and perspectives.

The discussion explores how even small shifts in communication can help families and couples move beyond familiar patterns and strengthen their relationships.

Listen to The Stigma Shift here: https://pod.fo/e/424311

21/06/2026

"There was a student who was quite quiet in their first year... by fourth year, I was literally sitting back watching them go around the ward, chatting to everyone, in control of all things. Like, that is amazing that you've done that much work yourself." – Shona Giles

On our latest episode of The Stigma Shift, Shona Giles reflects on the student growth she has witnessed over four years of clinical placement.
Shona speaks about how building confidence and professional identity is at the core of mental health nursing training, and what it really looks like when a student comes into their own.

Listen to the episode now on The Stigma Shift here: https://lnkd.in/ddDQZ4SB

As part of St John of God Week, colleagues and patients came together to enjoy our Staff Summer BBQ and a visit from Ted...
20/06/2026

As part of St John of God Week, colleagues and patients came together to enjoy our Staff Summer BBQ and a visit from Teddy’s Ice Cream Van.

It was a lovely opportunity to pause, connect and mark the contribution of teams across the hospital during a week that celebrates the values at the heart of St John of God: compassion, hospitality and respect.

A very special thank you to our fantastic catering team, who went above and beyond to make the BBQ such a success. Your work, care and good humour helped create a really enjoyable afternoon for everyone.

As St John of God Week comes to a close, it is a timely reminder that compassion is not simply an ideal in mental health...
19/06/2026

As St John of God Week comes to a close, it is a timely reminder that compassion is not simply an ideal in mental health care. It is something that must be lived and demonstrated every day.

Compassion is present in direct care, but it also shapes research, education, public awareness, service development and the ongoing effort to challenge stigma and improve understanding of mental health.

At St John of God University Hospital, this commitment means supporting people with dignity and respect, advancing evidence-based care, sharing knowledge and helping to build a more informed and compassionate society.

The legacy of St John of God continues to resonate today: recognising the whole person, valuing individual experience and responding with humanity, expertise and hope. As we mark the Year of Compassion in 2026, these principles remain as important as ever.

As part of St John of God Week, we are reflecting on the Hospital’s long tradition of care, learning and service.In 2025...
18/06/2026

As part of St John of God Week, we are reflecting on the Hospital’s long tradition of care, learning and service.

In 2025, St John of God University Hospital marked 100 years of nursing education, an important milestone in the history of the Hospital and in the development of mental health nursing in Ireland. We were delighted to be joined by Dr Rebecca Watterson who shared how our legacy of care and education has always been rooted in compassion.

While mental health care has changed significantly over the past century, the core commitment to dignity, compassion and care for the whole person remains central.

This tradition continues to inform how mental health services evolve today: grounded in expertise, shaped by learning and guided by respect for each person’s experience.

Compassion in mental health care is not only expressed through kindness. It is also reflected in the work of improving s...
17/06/2026

Compassion in mental health care is not only expressed through kindness. It is also reflected in the work of improving services, strengthening evidence and asking how care can better meet people’s needs.

Through the development of St John of God University Hospital’s Research & Innovation Hub, the Hospital is supporting research, education and service improvement that is closely connected to patient care.

This includes work across areas such as prescribing, psychological interventions, service development, implementation research and lived experience.

Research matters most when it helps improve understanding, reduce harm and support better outcomes for people using mental health services.

This St John of God Week, we are recognising the importance of earlier, more informed conversations about mental health....
16/06/2026

This St John of God Week, we are recognising the importance of earlier, more informed conversations about mental health.

Through initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid Ireland, The Working Mind and The Stigma Shift podcast, St John of God University Hospital and its connected services continue to support greater mental health literacy across Ireland.

Reducing stigma requires more than awareness. It requires practical understanding, confidence, respectful language and the ability to respond when someone may be struggling.

Every informed conversation can help make it easier for someone to seek support, feel less alone and take the next step towards help.

This week marks St John of God Week, an opportunity to reflect on the values at the heart of St John of God University H...
15/06/2026

This week marks St John of God Week, an opportunity to reflect on the values at the heart of St John of God University Hospital: hospitality, compassion and respect.

The legacy of St John of God continues to shape our work today, not only through the care provided within the Hospital, but through education, research, public mental health initiatives and services that support people, families and communities.

This year’s theme is especially meaningful as 2026 marks the Year of Compassion. Compassion in mental health care is seen in many ways: in listening without judgement, in supporting people through difficulty, in improving services, in reducing stigma and in helping people access the right care at the right time.

Throughout the week, we will be sharing some of the ways compassion continues to guide our work across St John of God University Hospital and our connected services.

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Stillorgan Road, Blackrock
Dublin
A94FH92

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