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.

Vanessa KilBride A group from Arnotts who raised over €2000. Vanessa KilBride

Jeff Rockett Phoenix Park. Jeff Rockett

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

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

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

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)

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More