St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is delighted to invite you to our annual Founder’s Day conference on Friday, 27 November 2026. 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’s conference will explore the mental health implications of domestic violence and discuss ways to strengthen responses within services.
Domestic violence, abuse and coercive control (DVA/CC) is a global public health crisis, and is associated with physical, mental, reproductive and sexual health problems for survivors.[i] Experience of DVA/CC is common amongst people who use mental health services, while at the same time, people who access domestic violence services may be experiencing mental health difficulties which could benefit from mental healthcare.
What to expect
Taking place from 9am until approximately 1pm, the conference will focus on topics such as:
- The mental health implications of domestic violence abuse and coercive control across the life span and how mental health services can improve responses
- Health sector leadership in tackling violence against women and girls
- Domestic abuse and suicide risk
- Learning from survivors – what helps and hinders in mental health service engagement.
This year’s conference coincides with the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and the launch of a new domestic violence and mental health toolkit developed by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and Safe Ireland. The toolkit will be formally launched and available from 23 November, and is designed to support staff in both mental health and domestic violence services in their work with people experiencing domestic violence and coercive control and mental health difficulties.
Speakers and moderation
Our programme will feature a keynote address from Prof Sian Oram, Professor of Trauma and Recovery, King’s College, London, as well as expert contributions from Claire Kearney, Education and Training Manager, Safe Ireland; Elaine Donnelly; Head of Social Work, SPMHS; and Louise O’Leary, Advocacy Manager, SPMHS. Further speakers will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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 will welcome attendees while Mary Butler TD, Minister for Mental Health, will deliver the opening address.
Who should attend?
Founder’s Day 2026 will be of particular interest to:
- Healthcare professionals
- Domestic violence services workers
- Others working in sectors related to domestic violence and or mental health
- Service users
- Supporters and advocates.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and certification
CPD accreditation will be sought from:
- The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
- The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
- 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. Available points will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Register now
You can register to attend through this link.
References
[i] Oram et al (2022) The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on intimate partner violence and mental health: advancing mental health services, research and policy. Volume 9, Issue 6p487-524, June 2022. Accessible at: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S2215-0366(22)00008-6/fulltext