Saint John of God Hospital

05/09/2025

September is Green Ribbon Month, a key opportunity for us to lead the way in reducing stigma around mental illness in Ireland. Green Ribbon is more than a campaign. It highlights our shared responsibility to challenge stigma, start open conversations, and foster a more compassionate and supportive society for everyone.

At St John of God University Hospital, we are proud to support the Green Ribbon Campaign. Today we officially launched Green Ribbon Month across the hospital, with staff from all departments taking part and wearing their ribbons to show support.

Shine's Green Ribbon Shine Ireland

04/09/2025

We are delighted to be part of Culture Night 2025 on Friday 19 September, as St John of God University Hospital opens its doors to celebrate the history of nursing education.

The evening will feature Dr Rebecca Watterson, historian of psychiatry, who will share unique insights into the stories that have shaped nursing education at our hospital and its wider legacy.

This year is especially significant as we mark the centenary of nursing education at St John of God University Hospital.

This event is now fully booked, but a waiting list is available for those who wish to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/culture-night-2025-at-st-john-of-god-university-hospital-tickets-1616011757669?aff=oddtdtcreator

Culture Night Dublin

02/09/2025

Thank you to the almost 200 GPs who joined us this evening for our latest CPD webinar, led by Dr John O’Donovan, Consultant Psychiatrist at St John of God University Hospital.

Dr O’Donovan, who specialises in Psychiatry of Later Life, delivered a session on Cognitive Problems in the Elderly, sharing valuable perspectives on the challenges of diagnosis and care in this area.

If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, a recording of the session is available. Please contact comms.hosp@sjog.ie
to request access.
We look forward to welcoming you to our next session in the series.

27/08/2025

CAO offers are being released today and we want to wish every student the very best.

This is a big day for many young people. For some it brings excitement, while for others it may feel uncertain. All reactions are completely valid. What matters most is remembering that one offer does not determine a whole future.

If you are supporting a young person today, a few small actions can make a real difference:

• Take time to listen and give them space to talk about how they are feeling
• Reassure them that their worth is not measured by a single result or offer
• Remind them there are many different routes into study, training and work
• Encourage them to take things step by step, and to reach out for support if they need it

Every young person’s journey looks different, and there are always options and opportunities to explore.

26/08/2025

As many young people across Ireland wait for their CAO offers tomorrow, this evening may bring a mix of emotions, excitement, worry, or uncertainty. In moments like this, hope becomes an important resource.

Ikbal Habib, Senior Clinical Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital, explains that hope is more than optimism. It is the powerful force that enables us to persevere and see beyond immediate challenges.

Psychologists highlight three key elements that help us build and sustain hope:
• Goals – having something meaningful to aim for
• Pathways – recognising there is more than one way to get there
• Agency – believing in our own capacity to keep going

Hope can be strengthened by setting small, achievable steps, staying flexible when facing obstacles, and recalling the resilience we have shown in the past. Even when it feels distant, hope can be reawakened and provide renewed strength and perspective.

Read the full article here: https://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/information/resources/articles/65-a-psychologists-perspective-on-the-power-of-hope

22/08/2025

We are delighted to announce our Culture Night 2025 event- Hidden Histories: 100 Years of Nursing at St John of God University Hospital.

This year marks a century of nursing education on at St John of God Hospital, a milestone that reflects both the dedication of generations of nurses and the changing face of mental health care and treatment in Ireland. To celebrate, we will host a special talk in our Granada Room on Friday September 19th.

The evening will be led by Dr Rebecca Watterson, a historian of mental health and psychiatry. Her work explores experiences of health, illness, medicine and science from the 19th century to the present day. With a focus on what has often been hidden, excluded, or overlooked, Rebecca’s research offers a powerful lens on how the history of nursing continues to shape the care we provide today.

Tickets for this event are free, but places are limited and early booking is strongly encouraged. Book at: https://tinyurl.com/CultureNight2025SJOGUH

Discover hidden histories of mental health and celebrate 100 years of nursing at St John of God University Hospital this Culture Night.

08/08/2025

We are proud to announce that St John of God University Hospital has been shortlisted in four categories at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2025.

These nominations reflect the collective efforts of our staff to enhance mental health care through sustainability, innovation, education, and advocacy. The shortlisted projects include:

Patient Advocacy Project of the Year for the development of our Consumer & Carer Advocacy Group, which ensures lived experience voices are meaningfully embedded in service design and delivery.

Non-Pharmaceutical Patient Education Project of the Year – for our Wellbeing Series, a hospital-wide initiative that empowers patients through accessible materials.

Sustainable Healthcare Initiative of the Year for our work to make hospital operations more environmentally responsible through practical, measurable sustainability improvements.

Research Project of the Year for our pharmacy department's work on developing new clinical guideline on the use of metformin to prevent antipsychotic-induced weight gain, supporting evidence-based prescribing and better physical health outcomes for mental health service users.

We are honoured to be recognised alongside peers from across the sector.

07/08/2025

Last week, we said a fond farewell to Vasco, who has been a much-loved member of our Catering Department for the past six years, most recognisably as a friendly face in our coffee shop.

Vasco now returns home to Portugal to complete his studies and support his family’s business. In his time with us, he made a lasting impact through his kindness, humour, and unwavering dedication to embodying our values of hospitality, compassion, and respect.

At his farewell gathering, colleagues from all across the hospital came to wish him well. Our Catering Manager, Rosemary, paid tribute to Vasco’s warmth, energy, and the joy he brought to the department. Vasco reminded us that the little things really can make a big difference, and as a parting gift, surprised everyone with the most delicious Pastéis de Nata!

We will miss him greatly and wish him every happiness as he embarks on this exciting next chapter.

Obrigado, Vasco!

24/07/2025

Couple and Family Therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on relationships—between partners, parents and children, siblings, or family groups.

It looks at how people communicate, how they respond to stress, and how patterns of interaction affect wellbeing.

The aim isn’t to assign blame, but to understand what’s happening in the relationship and explore ways of relating that feel more supportive or workable.

It can be helpful during times of conflict, change, or when mental health is affecting family life. You can hear from Senior Social Worker, Scott Hill, on what Couple and Family Therapy is here: https://youtu.be/9Y9sWyHtZmw?si=S8BPk0P5FPt_yAJt

22/07/2025

Your brain plays a role in everything from memory and mood to movement and connection.

To mark World Brain Day, we’re highlighting our Understanding Brain Health booklet. It was developed by members of our multidisciplinary team, including nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers and occupational therapists.

The booklet looks at how the brain functions, what influences its health over time, and how small everyday actions can support long-term cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

It’s a useful starting point for anyone looking to better understand brain health, whether for themselves or someone they're supporting.

Read it here: https://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/information/resources/wellbeing/69-understanding-brain-health-brain-awareness-week-2025

Where listening creates hope Saint John of God Hospital is an independent acute psychiatric teaching hospital based in South County Dublin.