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

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'Riordan
Eating 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'Riordan
The eating disorder is a way of coping, and because it's a way of coping, they're very counter intuitive illnesses. - Harriet Parsons
It 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

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 us
The difference between everyday stress and clinical anxiety
Common physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety
Practical coping tools: breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and self-care basics
How 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 Keegan
Everyday stress is temporary and manageable, but clinical anxiety lingers, intensifies, and interferes with daily life. – Carol Keegan
Breathing techniques are the most effective way to manage anxiety in the moment because they reset the body’s stress response. – Carol Keegan
Self-care may sound basic, but sleep, nutrition, exercise, and connection are crucial to building resilience against anxiety. – Carol Keegan
Anxiety 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

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 process
Societal barriers hinder natural grieving
CFT'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

The human brain possesses extraordinary ability to adapt and change throughout life, a quality called neuroplasticity that many mistakenly believe only occurs during childhood.

Dr Clodagh Cremen, senior clinical psychologist on psychiatry of later life team at St John of God University Hospital, explains how neural pathways function like motorways with traffic rerouting when connections close, why neurons that fire together wire together, how Tilda research shows 206,800 adults over 70 volunteer annually demonstrating active community contribution, and why starting with one small consistent change like 20 minute brisk walks matters more than perfectionistic overnight transformations.
With special interest in neuropsychology, disability, trauma and resilience, Dr Cremen shares practical strategies for supporting brain health including hearing aid maintenance, challenging ageist assumptions about capability, and understanding that sleep architecture changes naturally with age requiring different amounts than teenage years

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Brain plastic changes adapts forms new connections environment
One small consistent change not perfectionistic overnight transformation
Over seventies volunteer provide care contribute Irish society fabric
Hearing aids cognitive functioning maintenance never too late
Mindfulness skill takes practice not silver bullet stress

GUEST DETAILS

 
Dr Clodagh Cremen is senior clinical psychologist on psychiatry of later life team at St John of God University Hospital, working with adults over 65 experiencing mood struggles, anxiety, adjustment challenges or grief whilst providing assessment through listening and formal cognitive testing alongside intervention teaching coping skills. 
With special interest in neuropsychology, disability, trauma and resilience, she worked extensively in neuro rehabilitation settings with acquired brain injury survivors and their families from historical background including interest in people born 1940s through different generations within over 65 category. 
Her approach focuses on empowering people to flourish, thrive and build fulfilling lives by supporting return to meaningful activities that matter to individuals rather than prescribed goals, bringing holistic psychological perspective to multidisciplinary team whilst showing compassion for brains doing their best under difficult circumstances.

MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie

QUOTES

The brain is plastic, so it does change over time. It adapts. New connections get formed and that's often based on what's happening in our environment around us, and equally physiologically, what's happening internally inside our bodies as well. - Dr Clodagh Cremen

The way that the brain is structured is that there's different parts within the brain, we call them lobes. These lobes have different jobs and communicate with one another through what we call neural pathways. These form networks. It's a bit like having big cities that are connected to one another via motorways. Something might happen in life, and one of these motorways close. The traffic diverts, so maybe it starts using the country roads more. The messages might get delivered at a different pace. But over time, what can happen as this new road gets used is that it can become more developed. The traffic can reroute so the messages can still get through. - Dr Clodagh Cremen

It's never too late. Our brains have evolved over billions of years to consistently adapt and change, and we always have the capacity to learn, and that's one of the things that makes life so interesting. Changing can seem daunting. It can feel overwhelming. Start with the simple stuff, stuff that you have control over, that feels easy and manageable for you. You're good enough, good enough person as you are, and that can be true, and it can also be true that there's stuff that you want to change. To go easy on yourself. Life is hard. It's not too late. Notice and celebrate the small stuff that maybe you have changed. - Dr Clodagh Cremen

KEYWORDS

#Neuroplasticity #BrainHealth #AgeingWell #MentalWellbeing #CognitiveResilience

Spending time in nature feels instinctively restorative, but what does the science actually say about why green spaces improve our mental health? In this episode of The Stigma Shift, Senior Social Worker Shirley Gleeson explores the growing field of planetary health and nature-based interventions in mental health care.
From the stress-reducing power of 20-minute nature walks to therapeutic horticulture programs transforming patient recovery, Shirley shares evidence-based practices, practical activities anyone can try today, and why our connection to the natural world matters more than ever for psychological well-being.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
How spending just 120 minutes per week in nature improves psychological well-being.
The three main scientific theories explaining nature's mental health benefits.
Why equality of access to quality green spaces matters.
Practical nature-based interventions used in healthcare settings
The simple activities anyone can start today

GUEST DETAILS

Shirley Gleeson is a Senior Social Worker with the Addictions Team in St John of God University Hospital. She has 25 years’ experience in social work and has spent the past decade working in both child and adolescent and adult mental health.   She has Masters in both social work and health promotion and has spoken at international conferences on the area of mental health and the natural environment. She has trained in various nature-based therapies in the U.S, South Africa and the U.K. Prior to her current post Shirley worked on several European projects in this area. She is passionate about both social and environmental justice

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie

QUOTES
The further we're away from nature, the more mental health difficulties we might experience. We are part of nature, but in the modern day world, sometimes we're separated from it, and that causes us a lot of stress. - Shirley Gleeson
Research found that people that spend 120 minutes a week in nature were significantly more likely to report good health and better psychological well-being. - Shirley Gleeson
Natural settings promote what they call soft fascination, which meant that the brain had time to relax. Things like listening to bird song or flowing water or the movement in nature really helped relax and promoted the soft fascination. - Shirley Gleeson

KEYWORDS

#naturetherapy #planetaryhealth #mentalwellbeing #ecotherapy #greenspaces