Local event aims to save lives

OVER 4,000 people are expected to converge on Malahide Castle next month to raise funds and awareness for a self-harm and suicide prevention charity.

Darkness Into Light, now Pieta House’s flagship fundraiser, has been a huge success since its inception in 2009.

Then, thousands walked through the Phoenix Park with lighted candles in a show of solidarity for those who lost a family member to suicide.

At the inaugural North Dublin event last year in Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, close to 3,000 people attended, a figure way beyond the organisers’ expectations.

Rush resident Brian McEvoy is a member of the Pieta House Darkness into Light (DIL) North Dublin Committee. Along with family and friends, he will be involved in this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, May 10 at 4.15am.

In 2007, Brian’s brother, Adrian, took his own life, a truly devastating event for his family and friends.

“Pieta House helped members of my family through dark times,

? Brian told Northside People.

“So in 2009 we decided that we needed to do something to help raise funds for the charity. We organised a tea party in Lusk each year up until 2012, and in 2013 we were approached by Pieta House to organise a Darkness Into Light event in North Dublin.

“It has been a great honour for us to do that and it has also helped us heal as well.

?

Brian said they were unsure what to expect regarding numbers attending last year.

“We thought that if we got close to 1,000 people we would be very happy, so to have close to 3,000 people turn up on the morning was unbelievable and a bit scary at the same time,

? he said.

“To have that many people turn out at 4am on a Saturday morning and to see a sea of the distinctive yellow t-shirts appear from the darkness is a very inspiring sight to behold. There were a few tears from our volunteers when the walk got underway.

?

Fingal County Council have agreed to open up Malahide Castle for this year’s event.

“We could not do this without the council’s help,

? said Brian.

“Malahide Castle is a wonderful venue and tremendous resource to have in North Dublin.

“This year we are expecting in the region of 4000-4,500 people. Online registration figures at the moment are very encouraging and there should be record numbers at all the venues this year.

“Last year we raised over e61,000 from the North Dublin event alone. To get the same amount again would be a great achievement. Statistics show that it takes e1,000 to save a life so that sort of money will go towards saving a lot of lives.

?

Brian believes that the Darkness Into Light event has a huge impact.

“It gives people tremendous hope and shows them they are not alone,

? he said.

“It also brings comfort to people. You can never underestimate the power of numbers. It sends a message to the people in power also that people want change.

“This year we hope that there will be in excess of 40,000 people nationwide taking part. To have that many people gather at 4am is a statement in itself.

?

One of Pieta House’s aims is to have a centre within 100 kilometres of every person in Ireland.

Currently, there is an Outreach Centre in Finglas, but it is hoped that eventually there will be a full-time centre on the Northside.

“It all depends on funding really,

? said Brian.

“Pieta House provides their services free of charge with very little funding from the Government.

“It takes close to e4 million each year to run Pieta House nationwide with the majority of the money coming from events like this.

“Firstly, Pieta would need a suitable premises on the Norhtisde to provide their counselling services and then the funding to provide those services.

“It is all about people power as well. Maybe people could politely ask their local Government representative about it and you just never know.

?

Brian believes suicide and mental health in general have had a lot of stigma attached to it for many years and still does to a certain extent.

“But, we as a people have become a lot better at talking about it,

? he said.

“The recession definitely had a big impact on people’s mental health and suicide numbers did increase.

“The Government has started to take notice but a lot more work is needed. I think a national forum or debate may be needed, where all suicide prevention organisations sit down and discuss what is needed to tackle Ireland’s suicide rates. Nobody can do this alone.

?

Brian also believes that men find it harder to talk about their feelings and their problems.

“There is that stigma of somehow being weak if you are having mental health problems but it takes tremendous courage and bravery to stand up and say:

‘yes, I am unwell and I need help’,

? he added.

Registration for Darkness Into Light is available at dil.pieta.ie