A RECORD number of over 5,000 people gathered in the Phoenix Park recently to remember those lost to suicide during Pieta House’s annual Darkness into Light 5km fundraiser.
A total of 15,000 people turned out in 14 locations across the country.
Niall Quinn, Micheal O’Muircheartaigh, Minister Kathleen Lynch and Maura Derrane were among those rallying the crowds as thousands of people gathered in darkness at 4am and walked or ran the 5km course as dawn broke.
The unique walk symbolised the work that suicide and self-harm crisis centre Pieta House do in bringing people from darkness back into the light.
“I was overwhelmed by the massive turnout and the huge support we had all over the country in the weeks leading up to this fantastic event,
? said Joan Freeman, founder and CEO of Pieta House.
“The walk was a beautiful way to start the day and I’m really encouraged by the fact that we now have 14 locations around the country on board for Darkness into Light. We’re getting ever closer to our long-term aim of having a Pieta House centre no more than 100 kilometres from everyone in Ireland.
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This year’s Darkness into Light follows the release of new figures from Pieta House which show a significant rise in the number of people seeking their help in 2011.
The under-18 age group saw the highest increase with a rise of 93 per cent. Females accounted for over two thirds of these. Under-18s also had the highest instance of self-harm.
The Lucan based centre said that increasing financial pressures were forcing families to break up and attributed factors such as bullying and cyber bullying on the Internet as reasons for the increase in demand for their services.
The centre noted that females in the under 18 group had the highest instance of self-harming.
Ms Freeman described the increase in the number of those in under-18 category who sought assistance from the centre last year as
“particularly worrying
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“We are seeing people because of family breakdown, particularly when parents who can’t afford to separate and continue to live together, bullying including cyber bullying and peer pressure,
? she said.
“Although the gap between the number of males and females seeking help is closing the figures show that suicide is not just a male problem. The women we see usually have attempted to take their own life previously. However, women use less lethal methods than men, so they’re more likely to survive.
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The centre has also witnessed an 86 per cent increase in the number of those aged between 26-44 who sought help in comparison to the previous year.
Ms Freeman said that the recession was having a direct impact on this age group in particular.
“This age group reflects a high proportion of mortgage holders and the people we’re seeing are finding it difficult to deal with their financial circumstances,
? she added.
“While younger people can emigrate the older age group find themselves stuck because of their debts and other commitments.
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Speaking after the event in the Phoenix Park, Minister Lynch said she was honoured and delighted to lend her support, having previously led the walk in 2011.
“It’s an experience which stays with you for a long time afterwards,
? said Minister Lynch.
“Tragically, there is not a community in Ireland today that has not been affected by the trauma and despair that surrounds suicide and self-harm. The work of Pieta House is invaluable in helping both the individual and the families of those who have experience of self-harm or suicide to help them get through their dark time.
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As Pieta House’s services are free of charge, fundraisers such as Darkness into Light are vital to ensure that the organisation can continue to be available to those most in need of help. Yearly running costs are now at e1.3 million.