Pieta and Electric Ireland are encouraging Westmeath participants to sign up at www.darknessintolight.ie and take part in a special Darkness Into Light Sunrise on Saturday, May 8.
This year, participants can walk, run, swim, hike, bike or simply share ‘One Sunrise Together’ for Darkness Into Light, as organised walks are not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions
One year on from when the country went into lockdown, Pieta’s services are in demand more than ever and they need the public’s support.
Electric Ireland is proud to support Pieta for a ninth year and together with Pieta are encouraging people to register at www.darknessintolight.ie to participate in a special Darkness into Light occasion.
By taking part in Darkness Into Light, participants will unite in every corner of Ireland to help shine a light on suicide and self-harm while raising vital funds for Pieta’s lifesaving services.
Last year when it wasn’t possible to all walk together for Darkness into Light, Pieta faced a funding crisis, but the people of Westmeath and Midlands region came together as one community and supported the event, with hundreds of thousands rising at dawn and sharing their sunrise moments.
The support that shone through was nothing short of amazing with over €4 million raised following a tremendous public fundraising effort to ensure Pieta could continue to deliver their services through 2020.
In 2021, Covid-19 continues to impact not only the nations physical health but its mental health too; it has impacted everything from people’s financial stability to their social habits.
People are struggling with loneliness; a fact that is worsened with physical distance measures in place. Pieta relies on the generous support of those who participate in Darkness Into Light each year to provide this important national mental health service free of charge, 24/7.
Calls and texts to Pieta’s helpline directly relating to suicide, self-harm and suicide bereavement rose by 25 percent in December 2020 vs. December 2019, and Pieta is expecting the pandemic burden to have far reaching implications throughout 2021.
Pieta’s counselling services have remained available throughout lockdown with phone, video and face-to-face appointments.
In 2020, Pieta helped 142 Westmeath people in 2020 and provided 2,739 hours of counselling across the county in 2019 and 2020.
“We have all been faced with some incredible and daunting challenges over the last year. Pieta is here to support all of those in suicidal crisis and our free counselling has continued, uninterrupted throughout the Covid lockdowns. Our clinical team provide services over the phone, via text and in-person in twenty centres nationwide and, since last year, we now provide free counselling over video.
Darkness Into Light is crucial in delivering the funds needed to support this level of service. We have a great partnership with Electric Ireland and the company have been unwavering in their support over the years. We are grateful too for our Darkness into Light committees who galvanise support for the event across the country year after year. It’s important for all of us to hold on to hope and Darkness Into Light gives us the opportunity to come together under this one common purpose, to remember our loved ones and to help those struggling at this time, and I do hope you will all join us on May 8,” Elaine Austin, Pieta CEO, speaking about this year’s event, said.
Although there are no organised walks this year, Pieta and Electric Ireland are still urging the people of Westmeath and the Midlands region to sign up and mark this special Darkness Into Light sunrise within Covid guidelines on May 8 to show support to those impacted by suicide.
So, get involved for Darkness Into Light whether that’s writing a sunrise note, walking, running, swimming, hiking, biking or simply sharing your sunrise snap using the hashtags, #BrighterTogether, #DIL2021.
Sign up now at www.darknessintolight.ie
