OVER 150,000 PEOPLE have taken part in Pieta House Darkness into Light walks this morning.

The 5km routes started in the early hours of this morning with people walking or running as dawn was breaking.

Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

It first stated in Dublin in 2008 with 400 people walking in Phoenix Park.

Now in its ninth year, the event has spread to locations across the world such as New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, San Francisco and China.

Crispin Rodwell Crispin Rodwell

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

Ilona Agocs Ilona Agocs

Phoenix Park had the largest gathering of walkers for the awareness event with more than 10,000 people turning out.

Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

Sasko Lazarov Gillian and Mick Enis this morning in Phoenix Park Sasko Lazarov

Sasko Lazarov Laura and Yvone Murray this morning in Phoenix Park Sasko Lazarov

Sasko Lazarov Megan Raghallaigh, Aine O'Rahilly, Josh NcCallier, Emma Todd and Molly Bartley this morning in Phoenix Park Sasko Lazarov

graphy: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland graphy: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

graphy: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Elaine Galvin, Bridget Galvin and Shannon Galvin with dog Bailey this morning in Phoenix Park. graphy: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

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

Over 30 venues in Ireland came on board to host the event for the first time this year.

These are just some of the photos we got sent in from across the country and beyond:

Walkers at the Darkness into Light at Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

Mick McCormack Mick McCormack

Linda Fitzgibbon sent in this snap from Limerick.

Kate Sadlier took part in the Darkness into Light at Cahircivern, Co Kerry.

We were also sent in these images from Cobh.

Michael Doyle sent in a snap of ‘five happy finishers’ from Cork.

Marion Dunne, Lisa Dunne and Eric Sal sent a photo from the Darkness into Light walk in San Diego, California.

Diarmuid Waters got in touch after taking part in the Darkness into Light at Abu Dhabi.

Diarmuid Waters Diarmuid Waters

Craobh Phadraigh Hurling Club took part in the event in Sydney, Australia.

Elizabeth O’Hart was out in Monaghan.

Lisa McCormack sent in a photo of Jack, aged 7, who was out in Phoenix Park for the walk.

Meanwhile, Sarah McCann got in touch with a photo of her dogs Bailey and Alfie who got dressed for the occasion.

Sarah McCann Sarah McCann

If you need to talk, contact:

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

Read: ‘Darkness Into Light allows us to talk about the wound left by suicide’>

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