St John of God University Hospital

08/04/2026

A reminder that we are hosting our CPD session, Frontotemporal Dementia: An Update, this evening at 7pm.

Frontotemporal dementia remains one of the more complex and often under-recognised neurocognitive conditions, with earlier onset and atypical presentations that can make identification and referral particularly challenging in practice.

Led by Professor Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director at St John of God University Hospital, this session will provide a practical, clinically grounded update to support GPs in recognising key indicators, differentiating presentations, and making informed referral decisions.

We look forward to welcoming you this evening.

For any last-minute queries, please contact comms.hosp@sjog.ie

07/04/2026

What does addiction look like when it sits behind success? In this episode of The Stigma Shift, Professor Colin O'Gara, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Addiction Services at St John of God University Hospital, explores the often-overlooked reality of addiction in high-performing lives.

From burnout and insomnia to the growing impact of process addictions such as gambling, gaming and phone overuse, this conversation unpacks how pressure and performance can both mask and drive addictive behaviours. It also challenges a persistent assumption that achievement offers protection. In practice, the opposite can often be true.

Listen here: https://podfollow.com/stjohn/view

What does addiction look like when it hides behind success? In this episode, Professor O’Gara joins Elaine to unpack the often-overlooked reality of addiction among high-achieving individuals. F...

05/04/2026

Wishing all our patients, staff, and wider community a peaceful Easter.

We hope the weekend offers a chance to slow things down a little, whether that’s spending time with family and friends, getting some fresh air, or simply taking a bit of time for yourself.

We know Easter can feel different for everyone. For some it’s a time of connection and celebration, for others it can be quieter or more difficult. Whatever the weekend looks like for you, we hope you find a moment of ease in it.

From all of us at St John of God University Hospital, we wish you a safe and gentle Easter weekend.

03/04/2026

We’re pleased to open online registration for our Minding the Mind public lecture series.

The full series will be available to attend online, making it easier for more people to take part in these important conversations around mental health.

Across three sessions, colleagues from across our hospital will share clinical insight, practical guidance, and real-world perspectives:

Protecting Rights, Promoting Recovery: Human Rights in Mental Health Care
13 April
Presented by Shirley Gleeson, Head of Social Work
This lecture explores how human rights shape compassionate, ethical, and recovery-oriented care, particularly in inpatient settings where rights can be more vulnerable.

Living with Mood and Anxiety Difficulties – A Fresh Angle
20 April
Presented by Agustin Menendez, Senior Clinical Psychologist
A practical session offering new ways of understanding and managing mood and anxiety, including the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Understanding the Mental Health Continuum
27 April
Presented by Jacqui Mulligan, Mental Health First Aid Ireland
An accessible introduction to how mental health fluctuates, with a focus on language, awareness, and supporting more open conversations in everyday settings.

Tickets are available here: https://shorturl.at/yr1oA
We look forward to welcoming you online.

St John of God Hospital is one of Ireland’s leading independent providers of mental health treatment and care. Based in Stillorgan, Dublin, we offer a comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient, and day patient services for adults, delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team.Our hospital ope...

01/04/2026

Agustín Menéndez, Chartered Clinical Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital, was recently featured in both the Irish Independent online and in print, exploring Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its practical application in everyday life.

In the piece, he outlines a shift away from trying to control or eliminate difficult thoughts and emotions, towards learning how to make space for them. ACT focuses on building psychological flexibility, helping people to stay present, connect with their values, and take meaningful action even in the presence of anxiety, stress, or low mood.

Agustín will explore this approach further in his upcoming public lecture, Living with Mood and Anxiety Difficulties – A Fresh Angle, on April 20th. The session will offer a practical and accessible perspective on managing internal experiences while continuing to move towards what matters.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/DGLkE

31/03/2026

Human rights are fundamental to how mental health care is understood, delivered and experienced.

As part of the Minding the Mind Public Lecture Series, Shirley Gleeson, Head of Social Work at St John of God University Hospital, will explore how a human rights–based approach can shape care across a range of mental health settings.

Drawing on practice, policy and lived experience, this lecture will consider how principles such as dignity, autonomy and participation can be upheld in everyday interactions, and why they are central to building trust and supporting recovery.

The session will also reflect on the role of social work in advocating for service-user voice, supporting families and addressing the wider social factors that influence mental health and wellbeing.

Protecting Rights, Promoting Recovery: Human Rights in Mental Health Care
13 April | 7.30–9.00pm

Attendance is free, with advance registration required.
Register here: https://shorturl.at/iuPhw

30/03/2026

Professor Colin O’Gara, Head of Addiction Services at St John of God University Hospital, featured in the Sunday Independent in a piece looking at the impact of compulsive phone use and social media addiction on mental health.

In the article, he reflects on how these behaviours are increasingly being viewed through the lens of addiction, and on the wider mental health implications of digital environments designed to keep people engaged.

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/a-lot-of-people-are-traumatised-irish-phone-addicts-will-take-cases-against-social-media-companies-here-says-expert/a495639865.html


Video Credit: Sunday Independent

29/03/2026

Congratulations to Caroline Hynes Ryan on delivering an excellent presentation at the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Congress in Florence.

Caroline contributed to the symposium S*x and Gender in Schizophrenia: Clinical, Biological and Reproductive Perspectives, presenting pioneering work on clinical practice guidelines for females. This guideline is the first to prioritise outcomes that matter most to women and girls aged 13 and over, addressing a longstanding gap in psychosis treatment guidance and aiming to improve both treatment acceptability and equity in care.

As a university hospital, we remain committed to advancing mental health research and translating evidence into clinical practice. Engagement at international forums such as SIRS is a key part of strengthening that impact.

Thank you to all SJOGUH colleagues who represented the hospital at the conference. It was also valuable to connect with St John of God colleagues from Spain and Italy, reinforcing the strength of our international network.

Read the new guidelines here: https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/52/2/sbag023/8510608?searchresult=1&login=false

28/03/2026

As exam season approaches, anxiety is something many young people will experience, but not all anxiety is the same.

In a recent episode of The Stigma Shift, Clinical Nurse Specialist Carol Keegan takes a clear, grounded look at what anxiety actually is, and how to manage it.

She explains the distinction between everyday stress and anxiety that may need additional support. While stress is often temporary and manageable, anxiety can persist, intensify, and begin to interfere with daily life.

One of the most important takeaways is this: anxiety isn’t always negative. At the right level, it can help with focus, preparation, and performance.

The challenge is recognising when it shifts from being helpful to overwhelming, and knowing what to do next.

This episode focuses both on understanding anxiety and on practical, evidence-based strategies to manage it, making it a useful listen for students, parents, and anyone supporting a young person through exam pressure.

Listen here: https://podfollow.com/stjohn/episode/bc7776af6d13991e0d620b072ebbae9f2567f59a/view

27/03/2026

Frontotemporal Dementia is one of the more complex and often under-recognised neurocognitive conditions encountered. Earlier onset, behavioural changes, and atypical presentations can also make timely identification and referral particularly challenging.

We are pleased to invite GPs to our upcoming CPD session, Frontotemporal Dementia: An Update, led by Professor Jennifer Hoblyn MD MPH, Clinical Director at St John of God University Hospital.

This session will provide a practical, clinically grounded update, supporting better recognise key indicators, differentiate presentations, and make informed referral decisions. It will also offer an opportunity to deepen understanding of how these cases can be managed.

For more information on the session, please contact comms.hosp@sjog.ie

26/03/2026

Today marks Social Prescribing Day, a chance to recognise the role community and connection play in our health and wellbeing.

This year’s theme, Wellbeing Through Community Connections, reflects something we see every day in practice. The right support, at the right time, can make a real difference.

Social prescribing is about linking people with supports beyond clinical care. That might be local groups, activities, or practical supports that help bring structure, connection and a sense of purpose back into everyday life.
At St John of God University Hospital, our multidisciplinary team works with patients to understand what matters to them and how that can be supported in a practical way. Denise McGinley, Nurse Specialist in Health Promotion, works with patients to explore options that can support recovery outside of a clinical setting.
For some, that means building routine. For others, it is reconnecting socially, getting involved in something meaningful, or finding the right local support.
These steps can seem small, but they are often the pieces that help people move forward and stay well.

Social prescribing is a reminder that mental health is shaped by more than treatment alone. Connection and community are part of it too.

23/03/2026

Mental health is not simply something we either have or do not have. It shifts over time, influenced by our circumstances, environment and the supports around us.

As part of the Minding the Mind Public Lecture Series, Jacqui Mulligan, Project Co-ordinator with Mental Health First Aid Ireland, will explore the concept of the mental health continuum and how it can help people better understand changes in wellbeing.

This lecture will consider why language and awareness matter, and how workplaces and communities can become environments where conversations about mental health are informed, supportive and part of everyday life.

Mental Health Is Not Black and White: Understanding the Continuum
27 April | 7.30–9.00pm

This is a free public lecture, with advance registration required. Register here: https://shorturl.at/5u0BX

Join us a for our Minding the Mind series as experts across our hospital team present a series of discussions around mental health