Darkness Into Life is taking place next week as over 100,000 people are set to take part in the walk - Sharon Murphy opens up about how much the event has helped her
An Irish woman who lost her husband to suicide has told how Darkness Into Light offered “a sense of relief” that she wasn’t on her own the first time she did the walk - and how she hopes to help raise awareness of Pieta and the services that they provide.
“She told me, ‘They’re calling it Darkness Into Light, it might be something you’d be interested in.' “And having mental health services, there was nothing available back when Dave — there was the Samaritans or a quick phone line. “Even if you haven’t been touched by suicide, I just think that it’s the awareness it gives to people that in the middle of the night, you’re not alone; there is some way to reach out.“It’s not just a phone line, there are therapists on the other end of the line. And I will do anything to have that service available for people, because there was nothing available for Dave when he was struggling.
“But to bring people together on that night and make them aware that the services are available — you might not need it today, you might not need it tomorrow but you might need it in two or three years time — and to know that the services are available, that’s vital. “But I think Electric Ireland came on board in 2013, and they’ve been phenomenal in helping things grow. Having that sponsorship is key to keeping the lights on, literally.”
"The bereavement council one, which I find phenomenal and I wasn’t aware of until about three years ago — bereavement support for someone who has lost someone by suicide is huge. If only I had someone who could tell me what I was facing after Dave died — guards arriving, inquests, coroner’s and all that.
“And they have the outreach services as well, in other parts of the community, where they give the therapy services. “The next year, I couldn’t believe it when I went. This intimate event had become a huge event — but it felt even more special, because people wanted to be there to support you, as it grew and the understanding of what it’s about.
"Even during Covid, people just went out and did the walk themselves. I remember I went to the middle of Naas with my umbrella — the second year, it was lashing rain — and I stood in the middle of traffic consoles, and people were just walking by waving, ‘hi Sharon’.
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