Donegal Senator Eileen Flynn has opened up on how she found light in the dark in the hope of helping others do the same.
The Ardara-based Senator is helping to shine a light on suicide and self-harm while serving as an ambassador for Darkness Into Light Sunrise 2021.
The event takes place on May 8th this year, and participants can walk, run, swim, hike, bike or simply share One Sunrise Together for Darkness Into Light, as organised walks are not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions.
This special event, Pieta’s biggest fundraiser, aims to unite people whilst still physically apart.
As part of the campaign launch, Electric Ireland together with Pieta have worked with well-known ambassadors who have written Sunrise Notes, which detail how they have found light in the dark, especially over the last 12 months.
Senator Flynn’s note of hope says:
For every single one of us, sometimes it feels like our life’s just got out of control and trying to see the way ahead can feel very overwhelming and even for many people impossible. But, trust me, I’ve been there, there is always hope and you’re never alone although you feel very very lonely and you find it very hard to reach out. Trust me, you’re never alone in your feelings. Thanks to Pieta, there is always someone you can reach out to when you need someone to listen. And when somebody does listen, life always gets better. The night cannot last forever and after the darkness there is always the sunshine – a new day full of fresh starts and a new possibility. Hang in there. You came this far and you can go farther. Thank you so so much for listening.
Electric Ireland and Pieta are also encouraging the nation to take pen to paper to write their own Sunrise Note and share their stories of finding hope in the darkness online using #DIL2021. The concept of writing and sharing a heartfelt note will help normalise the challenges people have been facing this year, bringing people together through shared experiences of finding light in the darkness.
Although there are no organised walks this year, Pieta and Electric Ireland are still urging the nation to sign up and mark this special Darkness Into Light sunrise within Covid guidelines, on May 8th to show support to those impacted by suicide. Now, one year on from when the country went into lockdown, Pieta’s services are in demand more than ever and they need the public’s support.
Elaine Austin, CEO, Pieta commented: “We have all faced with some incredible and daunting challenges over the last year. Pieta is here to support all of those in suicidal crisis and our free counselling has continued, uninterrupted throughout the Covid lockdowns. Our clinical team provide services over the phone, via text and in-person in twenty centres nationwide and, since last year, we now provide free counselling over video. In 2020, we delivered over 52,000 hours of therapy and we received over 70,000 calls and texts for help through our 24/7 crisis helpline.”
So, get involved for Darkness Into Light whether that’s writing a sunrise note, walking, running, swimming, hiking, biking or simply sharing your sunrise snap using the hashtags (#BrighterTogether, #DIL2021),
Because under one sunrise, we’re brighter together.
Sign up now at darknessintolight.ie.
Pieta operates a free 24hr suicide helpline 1800 247 247 and a 24 hr text service – Text HELP to 51444
