The first Philadelphia Darkness Into Light suicide awareness and prevention walk/run will take place on May 7, 2016. The Irish Community has partnered with Pieta House to bring this amazing event to the city of Philadelphia.

The walk kicks off at 4.15am from Lloyd Hall (1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA 19130) while it is still dark but as participants finish the 5k route, dawn is breaking across the City of Brotherly Love. This symbolizes the journey of those who are feeling suicidal from the darkness of despair into the bright hope of a new day. On May 7, 2016 the Darkness into Light walk will take place in locations throughout Ireland and across the world.

The Irish Community partnered with Pieta House because suicide and self harm is a growing concern that affects our community and we want to help by raising awareness, providing education and support to our community.

Pieta House originated in Ireland and provides therapeutic services for men, women and children who find themselves in suicidal crisis or who engage in self-harm. Their pragmatic but empathetic approach has been very successful in saving lives. In 2015 Pieta House expanded its service to New York providing free therapeutic support and education to everyone in the community.

Our goal is to raise awareness in our community, support those with suicidal and self harm ideation and help change how suicide is viewed. We hope that all communities in the greater Philadelphia area will unite to honor those who have died by suicide and support family and friends who are left behind. Sometimes we feel helpless in knowing what to do when faced with such tragedy but this walk is something practical everyone can do to help.

We would really appreciate it if you would consider making a donation to support this event and encouraging your group to  register for the walk and take part. It would be great if you could share this information with your group.

-Log onto www.pietahouse.org to register for the walk.

-To make a donation, please make the check payable to Pieta House Inc and mail it to the Irish Immigration Center, 7  South -Cedar Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082

If you would like more information about the Darkness into Light walk please contact Leslie Alcock on 610-789-6355 or leslie@icphila.org.