Darkness Into Light Brussels: Light a candle to raise awareness of suicide on 9 May

Mental health campaigners are inviting people to light a candle “in a virtual moment of togetherness” on Saturday 9 May at 05.30.

The action replaces the planned dawn walk in Brussels, cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As part of the global movement that raises awareness of suicide and self-harm, #EuropeDay Darkness Into Light Brussels and #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek come together to shine a spotlight on the importance of #MentalHealth during the coronavirus crisis.

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, patron of #EuropeDay Darkness Into Light Brussels, invites everyone to light a candle in their home or garden in memory of the departed and in support of those living with mental health issues.

“We will be continuing to think of the people that are under pressure or stress due to this very serious virus that we have in our community at the moment, and we will think of those people who passed away in the last year,” he said.

Citizens are invited to join 'virtually' or share a photo, video or message on the Darkness Into Light Brussels facebook page, or on twitter/instagram (#DIL2020 #darknessintolight #TogetherWeCan). 

In 2019, almost 900 people gathered before dawn in Cinquantenaire park in Brussels and walked a 5km route, from the darkness into the light, symbolising the journey from despair to hope. They raised more than €65,000 for Centrum ter Preventie van Zelfdoding and Centre de prévention du Suicide in Brussels and Pieta House in Ireland.

The 3rd Brussels Darkness Into Light walk is planned to take place on Saturday 3 October 2020, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Founded by Pieta House in Ireland, Darkness Into Light is a worldwide mental health campaign dedicated to ending suicide and supporting those who self-harm.