Beyond Stigma was founded and based in Ireland with a core mission of increasing awareness and understanding of internal stigma and its profound impact on mental health. Our work in Ireland focuses on the intersection of internal stigma and physical health, across different settings including primary care, community and regional settings. We believe that by addressing the "stigma within," we can unlock better health outcomes and social integration.​

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Addressing Obesity-Related Self-Stigma in Ireland

Our recent research in Ireland, conducted in partnership with Trinity College Dublin and general practitioners, has focused on the significant role self-stigma plays in the lives of people living with obesity. Stigma is often a driver of chronic disease, and for many, it becomes internalized as a belief of worthlessness. Through a 12-week pilot study, we explored the use of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR), a structured technique to help individuals identify and challenge self-critical beliefs. The programme demonstrated that IBSR is not only feasible to deliver within a general practice setting but is also associated with a significant reduction in internalized weight stigma, helping participants move beyond feelings of shame and self-blame​

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Exploring Internal stigma in Migrant Women’s Lived Experiences

Building on our foundational work, we continue our efforts to conduct a community-led initiative in collaboration with RCSI, AkiDwA, and primary care partners. The idea of this project is to address the urgent mental health challenges faced by migrant women in Ireland, whose distress is often compounded by a web of pre-migration trauma and post-arrival isolation. By integrating creative modalities, such as community choirs and storytelling, with evidence-based psychosocial support, we are co-designing an intervention that moves beyond treating individual symptoms to addressing the structural and social determinants of wellbeing.​​​​​​​​

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HIV and Internal Stigma in Ireland
As the original research conducted in Ireland by Beyond Stigma was with people living with HIV, we are committed to ensuring our programmes support people living with HIV in Ireland, where possible.  We continue our efforts to conduct our programmes and research to address the silent barrier of internal stigma within the Irish context. Ireland has a long history of pioneering action, from the Dublin Declaration (2004) to impactful national campaigns like "Stamp Out Stigma" and "You, Me and HIV". However, despite these advancements in public awareness, internal stigma remains a profound challenge. It manifests as a mindset of negative beliefs: shame, guilt, and self-rejection that can prevent people living with HIV from accessing their right to health and adhering to their treatment.

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We recognize that internal stigma is not just a personal struggle, it is a systemic barrier that hinders progress toward universal health coverage and global equity goals. Our programs support individuals in moving from self-stigma to self-worth, with the aim that every person living with HIV in Ireland experiences true inclusion, acceptance, and belonging within their community and the healthcare system.