Irish Charity Pieta House Comes to Washington on May 9th to Combat Suicide

Press Release:

Darkness Into Light 5km Walk for Irish suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House

WASHINGTON DC, MAY 4^TH – This Saturday, May 9th, Irish charity Pieta House’s Darkness Into Light comes to Washington DC for the first time this year. Darkness Into Light is a unique, early morning experience which begins in darkness at 4.15am when thousands of people walk or run a 5km route while dawn is breaking. The walk/run will begin at Catholic University of America, in partnership with the CUA Gaels, crossing the finish line just as dawn is breaking at the breathtaking Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Pieta House is a centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide in Ireland and provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who need it. Darkness Into Light is now in its seventh year and last year’s event attracted 80,000 participants in 39 locations across Ireland, London, Sydney and America. With the number of locations doubling this year, organizers are expecting over 100,000 people to take part. 80 venues will host the event on the island of Ireland and abroad including in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and the USA.

Joan Freeman, founder of Pieta House, spoke about the launch in Washington, “Darkness Into Light is a people’s event organized by local committees all over Ireland and abroad. Although the number of people walking has never been greater, neither has the need. The addition of Washington as a location this year shows how Darkness Into Light is uniting people across the globe in solidarity with those who suffer.” She added “While suicide is a devastating tragedy, we mustn’t forget that there is hope, there is help, and Pieta House will be there to provide both.”

While Darkness Into Light raises much needed funds, it is also about awareness, solidarity and local communities. This year, Pieta House is asking those taking part to connect with others at the event. Walkers/runners are encouraged to speak to the person beside them, tell a story or simply say hello, connect and acknowledge one another. Make your presence known. No one should walk alone.

Online registration and further details are available now at dil.pieta.ie/venues/venue-view/darkness-into-light-washington. For more information on Darkness Into Light in Washington contact Aoife Delargy on pietahousedc@gmail.com.

About Pieta House

Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006. With nine centres throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional, one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or psychiatric report is not required and the service is completely free of charge. Pieta House has supported 17,500 people, with more than 5,000 of those seeking help in 2014. Pieta House’s vision is to have a centre within 100 kilometres of everyone in Ireland. 

Pieta House will set up its first pilot service in New York this summer as part of its plans to reach out to Irish diaspora who may be in need of the service. The service will be run from a room within the Irish Immigrant Centre in Queens, one of the main Irish communities in New York. The service is part of the overall plan to expand internationally.

For further information, visit www.pieta.ie.