Darkness into Light walk gives hope to those struggling

The annual sunrise walk takes place on May 8, with participants encouraged to take part from wherever they can and donate to the mental health charity.

“Unfortunately once again this year, we can’t have our normal Darkness into Light walk but instead we can share one sunrise together on Saturday, May 8 wherever we may be taking part in aid of AWARE NI,” Andy said.

“We want to remember those we’ve lost, and to help people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or engaging in self-harm. Together we can raise awareness, reduce stigma and be a part of something special.”

Participants will take part in a walk which goes from night into day in order to represent the difficulties experienced by those who have experienced depression and other mental health issues.

Andy added that his own first-hand experiences of mental health problems is driving his work to raise money for AWARE.

“It was 10 years ago on April 9 when it really hit home when I had a suicide attempt. Thankfully, I am still here to tell the tale as they say,” Andy said.

“Down the years from my late teens I have had friends that have lost their life to suicide and those who suffer with mental health issues.

“I don’t think there is anyone who isn’t affected in some way from mental health or know someone who has sadly lost their life to suicide.”

The volunteer added the pandemic has contributed to an increase in mental health issues, and made it difficult for people to do things that would allow them to cope with their problems.

“This past year has been a real struggle at times for me with lockdown, the one thing that we’re told when we see our psychiatrist and mental health team is ‘do not isolate yourself, get out of the house and meet people and  talk’. Yet for over a year we have been told to do the opposite.”