Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Sunday 1 October 2023 Dublin: 16°C
# dawn breaking
In photos: Stunning summer morning as 200,000 walk from Darkness into Light
The event began with just 400 people walking in Phoenix Park in 2008.

Updated 9.55 am

AN ESTIMATED 200,000 people took part in this morning’s Pieta House Darkness into Light walk.

This is the tenth year of the event which began with just 400 people walking in Phoenix Park in 2008.

The 5km walk took place at 180 venues around the country with organisers noting that those taking part walked a collective one million kilometres to raise awareness of mental health, self-harm and suicide.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was among the 15,000 people who undertook the walk this morning in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

Some 500 people die by suicide each year in Ireland and the symbolic walk into the light is aimed at encouraging people to talk about suicide and mental health issues.

Last year over 150,000 people took part at 150 venues across the globe – with locations in parts of the world such as New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, San Francisco and China.

The funds raised go towards supporting Pieta House’s counselling services to those in suicidal crisis, people who engage in self-harm and those bereaved by suicide.

Here are some of the photo’s we’ve received of those of you who took part.

image3 (2) Vanessa KilBride A group from Arnotts who raised over €2000. Vanessa KilBride

IMG_20180512_080126_251 Jeff Rockett Phoenix Park. Jeff Rockett

image1 Dearbhla Bowhan Dearbhla Bowhan sent us this picture of a Darkness Into Light walk at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Dearbhla Bowhan

DIL 1 Michael McCormack The DIL walk in Ballaghaderreen started at the gates of St.Nathy’s College. Michael McCormack

IMG_3051 John Harty Aebhin Harty (5) took part in the walk in Oughterard, Galway. John Harty

20180512_051642 Simon Geraghty The Geraghtys, Kitty Senan, Simon and Dash the dog at DIT Grangegorman. Simon Geraghty

Limerick

Warsaw

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy

If you need to talk, contact:

  • Pieta House 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie
  • Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Aware 1800 80 48 48
  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
  • Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

Your Voice
Readers Comments
46
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel