Set your alarm – it's Darkness into Light (early) this Saturday

Last year in Westmeath, 3,393 people got out of their beds well before dawn and into their hi-vis jackets for the annual Darkness into Light walk.

This year, they get that chance again this Saturday, when the 2019 even takes place – as will an expected 200,000 people in 19 countries across five continents meet up in the pre-dawn hours to take part in the global movement that seeks to remove the stigma around suicide and self-harm and spread the power of hope in Ireland and around the globe.

The event organisers, Pieta, supported by Electric Ireland since 2013, are calling on as many people as possible to join them to raise much need funding and awareness for the prevention of suicide and self-harm and the promotion of positive mental health.

The assembly and finish points are to be at Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar and the crowd will be departing from the start venue at 4.15am and finishing the 5km circuit as dawn is breaking at 5.30am approximately.

“We are asking those who will be driving to the event to use the parking facilities provided. We will be encouraging participants to car pool where possible. We expect the event to be finished by 7am,” said local organiser, Noel O’Callaghan.

Last year, Darkness into Light walkers raised €6 million from the event, of which €800,000 was raised across the international venues. Worldwide close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year – one person every 40 seconds. In Ireland 392 people took their own lives in 2017.

The funds raised from Darkness into Light help to keep Pieta centres open, offering free therapy, the 24/7 Helpline line, education and bereavement counselling for people in need of support.

In 2018, over 8,000 clients were supported with face to face therapy by Pieta experts. Since 2006, over 40,000 people received support from our intervention and bereavement counselling services.

By the end of this school year, Pieta will have reached out to over 7,500 students with a bespoke schools programme called the Resilience Academy a free programme for second year students in secondary schools designed to increase young people’s resilience, hope for the future, ability to cope with difficult feelings and connection to their school.

2019 marks the 7th year Electric Ireland have walked alongside Pieta to bring hope to customers, staff and communities across Ireland that have been affected by suicide.

To join the thousands of people around Ireland who are taking part in this year’s Darkness into Light 5k walk, go to www.darknessintolight.ie.