Where research meets real-world impact.
Ireland is home to Beyond Stigma and the centre of our research, innovation and programme development.
Working alongside universities, healthcare providers, community organisations and people with lived experience, we explore how addressing internal stigma can improve mental health, physical health and overall wellbeing.
The evidence generated in Ireland helps shape programmes delivered across Africa, Asia and beyond.
The Challenge
Internal stigma exists everywhere.
Internal stigma affects people across every society, culture and community.
In Ireland, our work explores how self-stigma influences health, wellbeing and quality of life among people experiencing a range of challenges, including obesity, HIV and migration.
By understanding the beliefs people hold about themselves, we can develop evidence-informed approaches that strengthen self-worth, resilience and positive mental health.
Research in Action
Turning evidence into better care.
Beyond Stigma works with universities, healthcare professionals and community organisations to develop and evaluate innovative approaches that address internal stigma.
Our research combines:
Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR)
Community-led co-design
Qualitative and implementation research
Creative and participatory approaches
Programme evaluation
Knowledge translation
This evidence helps ensure every programme is grounded in research while remaining practical, accessible and community-led.
Obesity & Weight Internal Stigma
Addressing the stigma within.
In partnership with Trinity College Dublin, The Bridge Medical Centre and primary care partners, Beyond Stigma is researching how Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction can reduce internalised weight stigma among people living with obesity.
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In 2023, a GP-based practice study consisted of a 6-week programme based on inquiry-based stress reduction. This was piloted among people living with overweight to support them address, shame, self-judgement and improve mental wellbeing, self-compassion and quality of life alongside physical health.
This work is helping develop new approaches to obesity care that recognise the importance of psychological wellbeing as part of holistic healthcare.
Migrant Women’s Mental Health
Co-creating community solutions.
Beyond Stigma is working with community and academic partners to develop a new initiative supporting migrant women in Ireland.
In partnership with AkiDwA, RCSI, SpeakUp SingOut and primary care collaborators, the project combines inquiry-based stress reduction, creativity, community choirs, and storytelling to strengthen mental wellbeing and reduce internal stigma.
Both of these above from AKiDwa Annual Conference, Pilot Workshop Session on Internal Stigma for Migrant Women, April 2026
“Let’s Talk: Mental Health Experiences of Migrant Women” (Akidwa,2020)
By working alongside women with lived experience, the programme aims to address not only individual wellbeing but also the social and structural factors that influence mental health, inclusion and belonging.
HIV & Internal Stigma
Returning to where the research began.
Beyond Stigma's earliest research explored the experiences of people living with HIV in Ireland, helping identify the beliefs and thought patterns that underpin internal stigma.
Today, that work continues through advocacy and collaboration with healthcare professionals and community organisations, ensuring that addressing internal stigma remains part of Ireland's response to HIV.
From Ireland to the World and Back
Research that travels.
The ideas developed in Ireland do not stay in Ireland.
Research undertaken here informs programmes delivered across Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa, Vietnam and beyond.
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Likewise, the learning generated through international partnerships continues to strengthen research, programme design and implementation in Ireland.
This two-way exchange of knowledge lies at the heart of Beyond Stigma's approach to global collaboration.
OUR PARTNERS
Working together to advance evidence.
Beyond Stigma collaborates with a growing network of research, healthcare and community partners across Ireland, including:
Primary care and GP partners
Healthcare professionals
Researchers
Community organisations
People with lived experience
Together, these partnerships help translate research into practical solutions that improve lives.
LOOKING AHEAD
Shaping the future of internal stigma research.
Ireland will continue to play a central role in Beyond Stigma's mission to transform internal stigma into self-worth.Future priorities include expanding research into migrant mental health and inclusion, weight stigma, HIV and other underserved communities, strengthening partnerships with universities and healthcare providers, and translating evidence into practical programmes that improve health and wellbeing in Ireland and around the world.Through research, collaboration and innovation, Ireland continues to help shape the future of Beyond Stigma's work.
Help Create Lasting Change
Together, we can help more people move from self-stigma to self-worth.
Choose how you'd like to support our work.