'Out of the darkness comes the light' - minding your mental health - Kilkenny Live

Saturday brought an early start for many people across Kilkenny as the annual Darkness into Light walks were held across the county.

While there are many ways to do this, taking on that 5km walk that starts out in total darkness and moves along into the sunrise has been very successful for people.

Why is that? For some, it’s the exercise element - the walk gives you the chance to get out in the open air and clear your mind. For others, it’s a walk and talk. There were many families and groups of friends among the army of Darkness into Light walkers who assembled at the James Stephens barracks for the 4.15am start on Saturday. Some were there to walk in memory of people they have lost along the way - others were present to show how they are coping with their own personal battles.

It felt good to be among that crowd of like-minded people, all trooping down an desert

ed John Street at an ungodly hour and walking past Kilkenny Castle with a pathway lit up by DiL candles and personal messages written in chalk along the Parade’s flagstones.

It felt good to sample that collective spirit. Doing events like this as a unit, whether related or not, allows people to have that conversation that sometimes you put to the back of your mind - when you’re on a long walk, thoughts can be teased out and problems discussed. You might not find an instant solution, but just talking it through can be a huge help.

It was appropriate that, later that day, a social media post from the Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers ended up on my X/Twitter timeline. It was a short film of about six minutes where a Wolves fan, musician Reepa, stood on the concourse outside their ground at Molineux ahead of their game against Luton Town. As he stood on the spot he covered his eyes with a scarf and held up a sign with a powerful message.

'Suicide and poor mental health are more common than we admit', the sign read. 'Suicide is the biggest killer of men and women under 35 and of men over 50. If you need it, give me a hug or stop for a chat'.

The film was powerful. While some people stopped for a hug, or gave a handshake or friendly shoulder tap in acknowledgement of what the sign meant, for others it provided an avenue to stop and talk about their feelings.
As the sign holder couldn’t see the faces of the people he was talking to, it allowed them to open up and say what was on their mind. The most poignant part centred around a Luton Town fan who spoke about his own feelings - and came back later to thank him for being there and listening. It was a special moment, showing how sometimes all it takes is the simple gesture of being there to listen, with no judgement, to help someone offload some troubles.

Of course, it’s not a magic solution for all - but it’s a start.

And that’s why events like Darkness into Light are so important. They give people the chance to get together, walk along and share what’s on their mind. And sometimes it’s not even about talking, but about having someone there who can provide company, helping others realise they are not on their own.

And isn’t that the most important thing of all? Mind yourself...

To avail of Pieta services, visit www.pieta.ie or call 0818-111126. Pieta provides 24/7 support via the Freephone crisis helpline on 1800-247247 or text HELP to 51444.