The Stigma Shift | Uncovering Mental Health with St John of God University Hospital

St John of God University Hospital Dublin
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A thoughtful, accessible podcast from St John of God University Hospital in Dublin that aims to demystify mental healthcare and reduce stigma through expert conversations and relatable content. With each episode you get practical insights in a friendly, non-clinical tone. Whether you're personally experiencing challenges, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in improving your wellbeing, our podcast offers fresh perspectives on topics including stress management, digital wellbeing, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and more.appl

  1. Jul 6

    Mindfulness, Mental Health, and the Power of Paying Attention

    Constant distraction, unrelenting deadlines, and the persistent hum of burnout make life feel like a never-ending race. Many of us navigate our days on autopilot, missing the richness of the present moment and struggling to quiet a busy mind.  True relief is not found in escape, but in tuning into the reality of the here and now through clinical and compassionate mindfulness. We explore how mindfulness works beyond the apps to provide evidence-based support for stress, anxiety, and emotional resilience. We discuss how to use presence as a tool to manage emotions and build meaningful insights. Joining us is Dr. Ikbal Habib, a Senior Clinical Psychologist at St. John of God University Hospital. With extensive training in cognitive behavioural and dialectical behaviour therapy,  Dr. Habib helps us understand how presence and attention are foundational tools for thriving in modern life. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Defining role of clinical psychologistWhy mindfulness is often misunderstoodMindfulness origins and clinical definitionDistinguishing mindfulness from relaxation techniquesIntegrating mindfulness into everyday life GUEST DETAILS Ikbal Habib is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at St. John of God University Hospital. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Ireland, Lebanon, and the UAE.  She specialises in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Her work focuses on equipping patients with evidence-based tools to build resilience and meaningful life paths. MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES Mindfulness is less about doing it right and more about showing up with awareness, with compassion, and with non-judgment. - Ikbal Habib. Mindfulness is not about achieving a certain state, but it's about being with whatever is happening in the moment without needing it to be different. - Ikbal Habib. Mindfulness is not to change who you are, but to help you connect better with what's already there. - Ikbal Habib KEYWORDS #MindfulLiving #MentalHealthMatters #ClinicalPsychology #StressManagement #EvidenceBasedCare

    Mindfulness, Mental Health, and the Power of Paying Attention

  2. Jun 1

    The Space Between Us: Communication, Care and Connection

    Navigating modern relationships feels like constantly running on empty. Everyday pressures, stress, and misunderstandings quietly shape the dynamic between us, often leading to communication breakdown and conflict. Systemic Family Therapist Scott Hill uncovers how to shift from individual blame to understanding relational patterns. He reveals the hidden emotional needs beneath arguments and how to reconnect when exhaustion turns a supportive role into strain.  This episode provides actionable insights to strengthen communication and find the courage to be vulnerable in your closest relationships. Scott Hill is a practising Social Worker with two decades of experience in mental health. As a Systemic Couple and Family Therapist at St John of God University Hospital, he specialises in helping families and couples strengthen communication and improve relationships. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Creating new, generative conversationsLooking at relational patterns, not individualsVulnerability underlies all relationship conflictHow stress changes brain communicationCourage is needed to be vulnerable GUEST DETAILS Scott Hill is a Systemic Family Therapist currently working at St John of God University Hospital. He has 19 years of experience as a practising Social Worker in mental health, focusing on the addiction team and adolescent mental health service. He qualified as a Systemic Family Therapist five years ago and passionately believes that healthy relationships can help people manage whatever life presents. MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES I always know I'm doing an okay job when a family member, a couple, might say, I never knew that, I never heard that before, you never said that to me, I didn't realise. - Scott Hill My job in the therapy space, to sum it all up, is to create a kind of an 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 My client, my patient is the relationship, or my client is the family." - Scott Hill KEYWORDS #FamilyTherapy #HealthyRelationships #ActiveListening #MentalSupport #RelationalPatterns

    The Space Between Us: Communication, Care and Connection

  3. May 12

    Empowered Nurses, Future Care: Supporting the Next Generation of Mental Health Nurses

    To mark International Nurses Day, this episode of The Stigma Shift focuses on the people learning, growing and preparing to shape the future of mental health care. Shona Giles, Clinical Placement Coordinator at St John of God University Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss her role in supporting mental health nursing students during their clinical placements. She reflects on the importance of a positive learning environment, the value of mentorship, and how clinical experience helps students build confidence, compassion and professional identity. This year’s International Nurses Day theme, Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives., offers a timely opportunity to recognise not only the vital contribution of nurses today, but also the importance of investing in the nurses of tomorrow. Through this conversation with Elaine, Shona explores what it means to support students in a specialist mental health setting, the role of education in high-quality patient care, and why empowered nurses are essential to the future of healthcare. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Student placements are deeply immersiveTherapeutic relationships are built on communicationManage shift work and feedback pressuresWeekly reflective practice builds self-awarenessThe immense commitment of nurse training GUEST DETAILS Shona Giles is a Clinical Placement Coordinator and registered mental health nurse at St John of God University Hospital. She is a core member of the Nurse Practice Development unit.  Her key skills include overseeing student clinical placements, ensuring quality learning environments, and supporting students from the academic to the clinical setting MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES Students are straight in. They're getting involved in anything that's happening on the wards, and they're very much supervised, of course, you know, from stage one onwards. - Shona Giles The student nurse will be involved in that documentation of the patient's presentation and really like building on their own communication skills and their therapeutic relationships… -  Shona Giles If you can just be the person that listens. You're actually That's huge. That's really powerful. -  Shona Giles KEYWORDS #MentalHealth #NursingStudent #ClinicalPlacement #ReflectivePractice #NurseTraining

    Empowered Nurses, Future Care: Supporting the Next Generation of Mental Health Nurses

  4. Apr 29

    The Missing Piece in Workplace Mental Health: Why Awareness Falls Short

    The rise in workplace mental health awareness has not translated into meaningful, day-to-day change for employees. Policies and awareness days are common, but a significant gap persists between organisational intention and lived reality. This failure to act often leaves staff reliant on reactive support when issues reach a crisis point. This episode unpacks the disconnect between language and behaviour, exploring what is missing from current approaches. The solution is moving beyond campaigns to prevention, focusing on continuous support, shared understanding, and practical frameworks. We focus on the 'Working Mind' programme, an evidence-based approach brought to Ireland to enable earlier recognition of mental health shifts. Host Elaine McDonald is joined by Jacqui Mulligan, Project Coordinator with Mental Health First Aid Ireland. Jacqui has spent over six years developing mental health literacy programmes. She has led large-scale training rollouts for organisations, including the Irish Defence Forces. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Awareness has not shifted staff behaviourPolicies look great but trust breaks downThe Working Mind builds shared languageUnderstanding the mental health continuumLeaders must prioritise a healthy workforceGUEST DETAILS Jacqui Mulligan is a Project Coordinator with Mental Health First Aid Ireland. She has over six years experience in mental health literacy and programme development. Jacqui led efforts to localise and introduce the evidence-based 'Working Mind' programme to Ireland.  Her expertise includes supporting large-scale training rollouts for organisations like An Garda Síochána. MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES We've normalised talking about mental health, but what we haven't normalised is then responding to it. - Jacqui Mulligan Prevention requires culture, not campaigns. - Jacqui Mulligan I always believe that if my intention is to care, I can't get it wrong, because that is genuine. - Jacqui Mulligan KEYWORDS #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellness #PsychologicalSafety #MentalContinuum #BehaviourChange

    The Missing Piece in Workplace Mental Health: Why Awareness Falls Short

  5. Apr 6

    Beneath the Surface : Addiction and Recovery in High-Performing Lives

    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.  From burnout and insomnia to the rise of process addictions like online gaming, gambling, and phone overuse, the conversation explores how performance-driven environments can mask — and even fuel — addictive behaviours.  Professor O’Gara shares insights from over two decades on the frontline of addiction treatment, highlighting the stigma that delays help-seeking, the role of workplace culture in either supporting or failing employees, and the compassionate, non-confrontational approach his team takes to treatment.  At its core, this discussion is a reminder that recovery is possible — and that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of success or status. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Addiction expands beyond drugs and alcohol.High achievers vulnerable to burnout, poor coping.Personality traits link success and addiction risk.Workplace culture affects employees' addiction recovery.Compassionate treatment offers hope for recovery. GUEST DETAILS Professor Colin O'Gara is a recognised Consultant Psychiatrist with 23 years of clinical experience, specialising in addiction medicine. He serves as the Head of Addiction Services at St John of God University Hospital and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin (UCD).  For over 18 years, Professor O'Gara has led the development of holistic, non-confrontational detoxification and rehabilitation services at St John of God University Hospital. The hospital's addiction services treat a wide range of substance addictions, including alcohol, stimulants, opioids, sedatives, cannabis, and digital addictions such as gambling disorder and internet gaming disorder.   Dedicated to research, Professor O'Gara leads a group at UCD's School of Medicine investigating areas such as gambling, over-the-counter pill addiction, and alcohol rehabilitation. He actively works to destigmatise addiction through public engagement and media interactions.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-colin-o-gara-13834859 MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTESAddiction doesn’t discriminate by status or success — its roots are often in exhaustion and burnout. — Professor Colin O’Gara High achievers tend to push themselves to extremes, driven by conscientiousness, self-criticism, and guilt, which can fuel addictive behaviours. — Professor Colin O’Gara Some workplaces genuinely support mental health and vulnerability, while others only pay lip service — and that difference can make or break recovery. — Professor Colin O’Gara Addictions are diagnosable brain disorders, with clear biological markers, just like physical illnesses — yet society still struggles to accept this. — Professor Colin O’Gara Recovery is possible, and I’ve seen people not only get well but go on to become ambassadors for others starting their journey. — Professor Colin O’Gara KEYWORDS #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Burnout #WorkplaceWellbeing #HighAchievers #AddictionAwareness #Stigma #CompassionateCare #ProcessAddictions #RecoveryIsPossible

    Beneath the Surface : Addiction and Recovery in High-Performing Lives

  6. Feb 23

    Eating Disorders: Connection and Community

    This internal and external isolation often causes people to disconnect from the relationships, social activities, and inner self that truly sustain them. Recovery is supported by community, connection, and innovative clinical care. This episode explores how clinical services and community organisations work together to support people and families who are transitioning out of the eating disorder's black-and-white control. Host Elaine McDonald is joined by two experts marking three decades of crucial service in Ireland's eating disorder landscape. Jane O’Riordan is an Occupational Therapist at the Eating Disorders Programme at St John of God University Hospital. Harriet Parsons is the CEO of Bodywhys, Ireland’s National Eating Disorder Association. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Occupational therapy supports life functioning.Eating disorders develop as coping mechanisms.Loneliness and isolation compound struggle.Groups provide hope and universality.Continuity of connection supports transition. GUEST DETAILS Jane O'Riordan is an Occupational Therapist on the Eating Disorders Programme at St John of God University Hospital. With nearly two decades of experience across adult and adolescent mental health, she specialises in activity-led approaches, including meal preparation and therapeutic practices. Her expertise focuses on the mind-body connection in recovery and the intersection of neurodiversity and eating disorders. Harriet Parsons is the CEO of Bodywhys, Ireland's National Eating Disorder Association. A fully accredited psychotherapist who has been with the organisation for almost 20 years, she led the development of crucial support services, including family programmes. She also played a key role in delivering the community support component of the HSE's National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES Having an eating disorder is really exhausting and really time consuming, so it's very difficult to be present or have energy for doing things or people's self esteem and body image are affected. - Jane O'RiordanEating disorders develop as a way of coping with difficult experiences or a difficult kind of internal world. So we want to try and support people to develop other skills and outlets for that. - Jane O'RiordanThe eating disorder is a way of coping, and because it's a way of coping, they're very counter intuitive illnesses. - Harriet ParsonsIt takes great courage to kind of reach out and make that first connection with somebody who's focused on how this person might be able to live their life without the eating disorder. - Harriet Parsons KEYWORDS: #EatingDisorders #MentalHealthRecovery #GroupSupport #StigmaShift #Bodywhys

    Eating Disorders: Connection and Community

  7. Feb 9

    Anxiety Unpacked: What's Really Going On Beneath the Surface

    In this episode, we’re joined by Carol Keegan, Clinical Nurse Specialist at St John of God University Hospital, to explore the realities of living with anxiety.  Carol breaks down the difference between everyday stress and clinical anxiety, challenges common misconceptions, and explains why anxiety isn’t always the enemy—it can sometimes be protective and even useful. From practical coping tools like breathing techniques and self-care habits, to the role of social supports, therapy, and medication, Carol offers clear, compassionate insights that make anxiety feel less overwhelming and more manageable. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or navigating anxiety yourself, this conversation is full of reassurance, hope, and strategies you can put into practice. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why anxiety isn’t always the enemy — and how it can sometimes help usThe difference between everyday stress and clinical anxietyCommon physical and emotional symptoms of anxietyPractical coping tools: breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and self-care basicsHow to support a loved one and challenge the myth that you can “snap out of it” GUEST DETAILS Carol Keegan is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St John of God University Hospital. She works on the psychosis team as part of a multidisciplinary effort. Carol is also a registered nurse prescriber. Her experience involves providing assessment, education, and emotional support to patients and their families. She focuses on helping patients understand their anxiety and develop coping strategies.  MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES Anxiety is one of our primary emotions, a basic function designed to protect us. – Carol KeeganEveryday stress is temporary and manageable, but clinical anxiety lingers, intensifies, and interferes with daily life. – Carol KeeganBreathing techniques are the most effective way to manage anxiety in the moment because they reset the body’s stress response. – Carol KeeganSelf-care may sound basic, but sleep, nutrition, exercise, and connection are crucial to building resilience against anxiety. – Carol KeeganAnxiety isn’t something you can just snap out of — if people could, they absolutely would. – Carol Keegan KEYWORDS #AnxietyAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #CopingStrategies #SelfCare #Resilience #Wellbeing #Mindfulness #CBT #StigmaFree #Podcast

    Anxiety Unpacked: What's Really Going On Beneath the Surface

  8. Jan 5

    Understanding Grief: The Role of Compassion in Healing

    Grief and loss are profound and complex human experiences that often leave us feeling isolated and uncertain of how to cope. We struggle to talk about these deeply personal emotions, and the pressure to "be okay" can compound the pain, leading to self-criticism and shame. This difficulty is worsened by a culture of productivity that systemically discourages taking the time needed for a natural healing process. This episode offers clarity and care by exploring what grief truly is—beyond just bereavement—and how it affects our mental health. We delve into the power of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to reframe our emotional struggles and the vital role of self-validation in moving forward while honouring what has been lost.  You will learn practical strategies to cultivate compassion for yourself and others as a powerful guide through times of emotional difficulty. Elaine McDonald is joined by Dr Sonia Pillai, a Senior Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital and an aspiring somatic coach.  Dr Pillai has a special interest in trauma, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. Her practice is grounded in humanistic and neuro-affirming philosophies, integrating various therapeutic approaches to support people through complex emotional experiences. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Grief is broad, universal processSocietal barriers hinder natural grievingCFT's three emotional systems model Grief is an ongoing, non-linear process.Validate your emotional responses to loss. GUEST DETAILS Dr Sonia Pillai is Senior Counselling Psychologist at St John of God University Hospital. She works alongside a multidisciplinary team supporting new inpatients and runs DBT and CFT groups. Dr Pillai practices from a foundation of humanistic and neuro-affirming philosophies. She integrates models like Emotion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr Pillai has a special interest in trauma, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. MORE INFORMATION To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie QUOTES The grief process... can take years, right? And I think helping people to validate their very natural responses to loss can be really powerful in the therapy space. - Dr Sonia Pillai As long as there is a loss of something that's meaningful to someone, and it's, you know, maybe indicated that one cannot return to the way one's life was before this loss, then I think it's natural for a grief process to happen then. - Dr Sonia Pillai You know, the grief will always be there. The waves are always going to be part of your life. Life, but it's about maybe allowing them to feel less intense through the process of minding yourself. - Dr Sonia Pillai KEYWORDS #GriefAndLoss #SelfCompassion #MentalHealthSupport #CFTSkills #EmotionalWellbeing

    Understanding Grief: The Role of Compassion in Healing
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About

A thoughtful, accessible podcast from St John of God University Hospital in Dublin that aims to demystify mental healthcare and reduce stigma through expert conversations and relatable content. With each episode you get practical insights in a friendly, non-clinical tone. Whether you're personally experiencing challenges, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in improving your wellbeing, our podcast offers fresh perspectives on topics including stress management, digital wellbeing, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and more.appl

Information

  • Creator
    St John of God University Hospital Dublin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 St John of God University Hospital Dublin

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