Belgian walkers raise awareness for mental health at dawn

At various locations in Belgium more than 300 walkers started the Darkness Into Light walk at 05.00 on Saturday morning. The participants asks for more awareness about mental health and psychosocial support. 

The symbolic five-kilometre walks are organised in Belgium in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp and Mons by the Irish Pieta House, le Centre de Prévention du Suicide and het Centrum ter Preventie van Zelfdoding. 

The initiative originated in Ireland in 2009 and has grown into a global movement involving over 200,000 people, spanning 21 countries and five continents. The movement aims to offer hope, raise awareness of mental health and psychosocial support and raise money for charities that actively support victims of suicide and self-harm. 

In Belgium, Darkness Into Light has received a lot of attention. The country has the highest suicide rate in Europe with six people losing their lives every day to suicide. Darkness Into Light has already raised more than 15,000 euros.

(TOM)

© BELGA PHOTO PHILIPPE FRANCOIS