Founder’s Day 2025: Mental Health in Turbulent Times

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 9am, exploring the theme of Mental Health in Turbulent Times.

The conference will be recognised for 4 CPD points from the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).

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 currently working with the National Health Service (NHS).

Speakers joining us include:

• Aibhlín O’Leary, Head of Advocacy and Public Policy, UNICEF Ireland
• Alex Cooney, CEO, CyberSafeKids
• 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
• Morag Hewett, Youth Advisor for the Compass Project
• Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council
• Prof Barbara Dooley, an author on the Lancet Psychiatry Commission for Youth Mental Health (McGorry et al 2024), Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University College Dublin.

There will also be a message from Mary Butler TD, Minister for Mental Health, shared at the conference.

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

The conference will be recognised for:

• 4 CPD points from the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
• 4 CPD points from the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
• 4 credits and 0.5 days GMS study leave and can be recorded as Accredited CE from the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP)

General certificates of attendance will also be available for participants not affiliated with a specific professional body.

CPD for the ICGP can be transferred to the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.

Register now

Join us for an engaging, thought-provoking morning on Mental Health in Turbulent Times.

You can register to attend through this link

See more in the conference programme