Saint John of God Hospital

Home
Ireland
Dublin
Saint John of God 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 programmes 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.

26/10/2025

We are proud to share that St John of God University Hospital, in collaboration with University College Dublin, has been shortlisted for Research Paper of the Year at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2025.

The shortlisted paper, “Metformin for the Prevention of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: Guideline Development and Consensus Validation,” was published in Schizophrenia Bulletin and has become the journal’s most-read article, with over 38,000 views and global engagement from clinicians and researchers.

Led by Aoife Carolan and Caroline Hynes-Ryan, under the supervision of Professor Brian O’Donoghue, this work addresses a critical gap in mental health care by developing evidence-based, internationally endorsed guidelines to prevent antipsychotic-induced weight gain and improve long-term health outcomes for service users.

Congratulations to the research team and collaborators for this important achievement and their continued commitment to improving physical health outcomes for people experiencing severe mental illness.

24/10/2025

The Ginesa Centre for Adolescent Mental Health provides inpatient care for young people aged 13 to 17 who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

Based at St John of God University Hospital, our service is designed to offer specialist, age-appropriate support in a structured and therapeutic environment. We care for young people presenting with conditions such as low mood, anxiety, OCD, trauma, eating difficulties (non-acute), and emerging psychosis.

Our multidisciplinary team works closely with families, schools, and referrers to ensure that each young person receives care that reflects their individual needs. Recovery planning includes therapeutic engagement, educational support through our on-site classroom, and regular clinical reviews.

Referrals are accepted via Healthmail and Healthlink and can be made by GPs, CAMHS teams, consultant psychiatrists, or hospital-based clinicians.

22/10/2025

In Episode Two of The Stigma Shift, Denise McGinley, Health Promotion Nurse Specialist at St John of God University Hospital, explores the fine line between everyday stress and full burnout and how to recognise when one becomes the other.

Denise explains how stress can serve a purpose when managed well, but how ongoing pressure without recovery can lead to physical, emotional and professional exhaustion.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

21/10/2025

Couple and Family Therapy is available at St John of God Hospital as part of our outpatient services.
The service supports couples and families who may be experiencing difficulties in their relationships or communication, or who wish to understand each other better.

Therapy offers a structured and confidential setting to explore how people relate to one another, how challenges arise, and how new ways of communicating can develop.

To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/CoupleandFamilyTherapy

20/10/2025

What happens to our minds when we’re constantly switched on?

In the first episode of The Stigma Shift, Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Amy Watchorn explores the impact of digital overload on our mental wellbeing, and why our brains are struggling to keep up with the pace of modern communication.

She discusses how the constant flow of information, social media comparison and 24/7 connection can affect how we think, feel and relate to others – and what we can do to find balance.

🎧 Listen to Episode One: Digital Overload and Mental Wellbeing
Search for 'The Stigma Shift' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

19/10/2025

This week we marked the retirement of our very special colleague, Mary Flynn, who has been part of St John of God University Hospital for an incredible 37 years.
Mary first joined the hospital as a weekend receptionist and quickly became a familiar and trusted presence to colleagues, patients and visitors alike. As one of the first people many encountered when arriving at the hospital, she was often the reassuring face and friendly voice that set the tone for how people experienced our service.
Across nearly four decades, Mary has embodied the values of hospitality, compassion and respect in every interaction. Her warmth, kindness and professionalism have left a lasting impression on generations of staff and patients, and her contribution to the hospital cannot be overstated.
As Mary begins this next chapter, we extend our deepest thanks for her outstanding service, her good humour and her dedication to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who crossed our doors.
Wishing you every happiness in your well-earned retirement, Mary.

18/10/2025

We’re proud to celebrate our colleague Jivee Tolentino from the Accommodations team, who is representing Ireland at the Backyard Ultra World Championship in Tennessee today.

Jivee is among Ireland’s leading ultrarunners, having placed 13th in the world at the last championship.

Earlier this week, colleagues gathered in Angulo’s to add messages of support to a Good Luck Board, wishing Jivee well as he takes on this year’s event.

We wish him every success as he represents Ireland on the international stage.

17/10/2025

We spend more time connected than ever before, but are we actually communicating?

In Episode One of The Stigma Shift, Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Amy Watchorn discusses the hidden effects of digital overload and why a constant online presence can leave us feeling more distracted, disconnected and depleted.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: Digital Overload: Finding Calm in a Hyperconnected World

15/10/2025

Education doesn’t stop during mental health treatment, but it might need to look a little different.

At the Ginesa Centre, our on-site classroom offers a calm, flexible environment for young people to reconnect with learning in a way that supports their recovery.

With support from a qualified teacher, students can continue with exam prep, rebuild confidence, or simply regain a sense of routine. For many, it becomes an important part of feeling capable again.

10/10/2025

This World Mental Health Day, St John of God University Hospital is proud to launch The Stigma Shift, our first-ever podcast exploring mental health through honest, evidence-based and compassionate conversations.

Each episode features voices from across our multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers, who share their expertise and lived experience to challenge misconceptions and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

In our first two episodes:
Dr Amy Watchorn, Senior Clinical Psychologist, explores how digital overload impacts our mental wellbeing.
Denise McGinley, Health Promotion Nurse Specialist, discusses Stress vs Burnout and how to recognise and respond to each.

Future episodes will focus on anxiety, grief and compassion, one health, neuroplasticity and addiction and recovery, highlighting the depth of expertise and commitment to advancing understanding of mental health within the hospital community.

The Stigma Shift invites us to rethink how we talk about mental health with openness, empathy and insight.

Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts: http://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/podcast

08/10/2025

How confident are we in supporting someone’s mental health?

As we approach World Mental Health Day, St John of God University Hospital and Mental Health First Aid Ireland are sharing recent findings from a national survey exploring how people across Ireland perceive and respond to mental health challenges.

The 2025 National Survey on Mental Health Awareness, Confidence and Stigma, offers valuable insight into public attitudes and preparedness.

62% feel confident recognising when someone is experiencing a mental health challenge.

50% feel confident supporting a young person aged 12–18.

Yet only 16% have received formal training in supporting someone during a mental health crisis.

81% believe employers should provide mental health training for staff.

While 92% agree that mental health is as important as physical health, 82% also recognise that people experiencing mental health difficulties are often unfairly judged.

These findings highlight both progress and opportunity, reminding us of the ongoing need to build confidence, skills and understanding so that more people can offer timely, compassionate support.

Learn more at the link in our bio.

07/10/2025

The Ginesa Centre for Adolescent Mental Health provides specialist inpatient care for young people aged 12 to 17 who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

We work closely with families, GPs, and CAMHS teams to ensure each referral is assessed carefully and each young person receives care that reflects their individual needs.

Alongside therapeutic and psychiatric support, our on-site classroom, family involvement, and recovery-focused environment help young people to stabilise, reflect, and begin to rebuild.

Referrals are accepted via Healthmail and Healthlink.

Address

Stillorgan Road, Blackrock
Dublin
A94FH92

Website

https://www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Saint John of God Hospital posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Dublin?