St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is delighted to invite you to our annual Founder’s Day conference on Friday, 28 November 2025.
Founder’s Day is our flagship yearly event, held to mark the birthday of our founder, Jonathan Swift. Each year, the conference focuses on a different theme in mental health, bringing together clinicians, researchers, service users, supporters, and more for learning, reflection, and discussion.
This year, we will gather online for a half-day event starting at 9.15am, exploring the theme of Mental Health in Turbulent Times.
What to expect
The conference will take a close look at the critical challenges shaping mental health today, both nationally and internationally, and how these affect wellbeing across all parts of society.
Across two themed sessions, you will hear from leading voices and engage in discussions on:
- Child mental health and wellbeing in turbulent times
- Protecting mental health and building resilience in unprecedented times
Together, we will explore issues such as:
- The impact of global “megatrends” on youth mental health
- Digital determinants of mental health
- Psychiatry in humanitarian emergencies
- Climate distress and effective responses
- Building resilience in the face of rapid change
Speakers and moderation
Our programme will feature expert contributions from Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and Professor Paul Fearon, Medical Director at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.
Delivering the keynote address will be Dr Peter Hughes, Consultant Psychiatrist with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Lecturer and Trainer in Global Mental Health and Human Rights.
Speakers joining us include:
- Aibhlín O’Leary, Head of Advocacy and Public Policy, UNICEF Ireland
- Alex Cooney, CEO, CyberSafeKids
- Youth Advisor from the Compass Project
- Dr Eoin Galavan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, HSE Adult Mental Health Services, and Secretary and Vice-Chairperson of the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Special Interest Group for Addressing Climate and Environmental Emergency
- Dr Iryna Mazhak, interdisciplinary researcher focused on refugees and forced migrants’ health status, and on gender, socioeconomic and behavioural inequalities in health
The event will be moderated by Jan Ní Fhlanagáin, with further speaker announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
Who should attend?
Founder’s Day 2025 will be of particular interest to:
- Healthcare professionals
- Service users
- Supporters and advocates
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and certification
CPD recognition will be sought from:
- The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP)
- The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
- The Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP)
- The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
General certificates of attendance will also be available for participants not affiliated with a specific professional body.
Register now
Join us for an engaging, thought-provoking morning on Mental Health in Turbulent Times.