Darkness Into Light
On the 10th of May 2025, an annual walking event called “Darkness into Light” will take place at 5am in Parc Cinquantenaire, Brussels.
“Darkness Into Light” is an event that happens around the world on the tenth of May. The movement involves a group of people walking from darkness to sunrise, to raise awareness and hope in the global fight against suicide and self-harm. The annual walking event is organized by an Irish mental health organization called Pieta and funded by Electric Ireland.
In Ireland, the annual walking event takes place every year at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 10th. This fundraising event symbolizes hope for those who suffer severely from suicide idealization and self-harm troubles. With the help of “Darkness into Light”, communities are able to come together, to support mental health and prevent suicide.
What is the Pieta organization?
Pieta is an organization mainly funded by fundraising events such as the annual “Darkness into Light” Walk, and personal donations by communities around the world. Since their first “Darkness into Light” Walk in 2009, Pieta supporters have raised over €36 million towards free 24/7 counselling and therapy, that the organization provides for over 700 households impacted by the loss of a loved one by suicide around Ireland. The organization continues each year to deliver more than 50,000 hours of therapy and their work is only possible because of their volunteers and the donations donated by people around the world.
The organization is also proudly supported by Electric Ireland since 2013, with the help of them, the organization are able to gather local communities and to bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide.
Their work in Brussels
All the funds raised in Belgium will be donated to CHS, which is the Community Health Service. This service is a crucial mental health support that offers a confidential, anonymous and English speaking 24/7 help line. Their team is a group of trained volunteers, who are able to provide a free safe space for you, to talk about your troubles or any challenges that you are facing. Troubles can vary from having a hard time dealing with stress at school or in your personal life, or being concerned about the wellbeing of your friend, who has expressed suicidal thoughts. Any of your struggles are important and with the help of your donations and the work done by Pieta, many more teenagers and adults in Brussels, and around the world, can receive treatment. Teenagers may also just need a person to have a chat with, to ask any questions that they may have about their mental health or how they can deal with the loss of someone to suicide. To access their 24/7 help line call, +32 02 648 40 14 (Belgium).
To register to walk
To be able to register for the “Darkness into Light Walk” in Brussels on Saturday 10th, follow this link https://www.darknessintolight.ie/event/brussels to be able to reserve a ticket. QR codes will also be able to be scanned around the school to be able to take part in the walk. An image of the flyer will also be included in this article below.
If you wish to help fundraise more money, the organization encourages students to put on bakes sales, organize movie nights or running competitions or other forms of fundraisers. To register your fundraiser, go to the site of Pieta (Darkness into light) and by registering your donations, you can inspire others to donate and to keep track of the money you have raised towards helping those who suffer from mental health issues, suicide and self-harm in Belgium and around the world.
Where do you send the money you have raised or want to donate?
You can transfer your amount to CHS under the name “Darkness into Light” or “DIL” to the phone number (BE) +37 7350 1612 5428.
Pieta’s work in EEB1 and their services provided
“Darkness into Light” Belgium and their chairperson Sarah Ironside, have reached out to Mr. Tran to propose presenting the services of the CHS to students in EEB1 to raise awareness on the importance of Mental Health of students, but also to hopefully encourage students in our school, to walk with the organization on the 10th of May 2025 at 5 am in Parc Cinquantenaire.
Pieta and everyone at “Darkness into Light” Belgium hope that you will be able to join in, on the walk on the 10th of May, to not only to fundraise money but also to help those around you who may be silently struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness or any other mental health issue. If you have any other questions about the walk or creating a fundraiser, feel free to contact VANDENBALCK Clara (S6ENB) or Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN Dónal (UCC-Teacher) on teams.
Important Information
The walk starts at 5 am in Parc Cinquantenaire, Brussels and ends when the sun has risen (5 km walk). All the money raised and donated will go to the Pieta organization and the CHS helpline in Belgium in their fight against suicide and self-harm, in adolescents and adults. Follow this link https://www.darknessintolight.ie/event/brussels to reserve tickets for the walk. If under 17, the tickets will cost 5 euros and if under 13, free. If you are an adult signing up, the cost will be 24 euros.
Zoé Rosmarus / S6ENB / EEB1 Uccle
