Sponsored by Electric Ireland, Pieta House's Darkness into Light walk will take place on Saturday, 11th of May, 2019 in over 200 venues, in 19 countries across 5 continents.
In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set-off on the inaugural Darkness into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta House. Since then, the annual walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to show their support for those who have been bereaved by suicide.
We spoke with Pieta's well-known supporter Hannah Tyrell, an Irish rugby player with a history of disordered eating and self-harm, to find out what the walk means to her.
Always an honour to pull on the green jersey and help inspire the next generation of players! Taking positives and building something special with this team 💚💚💚#sixnations2018 #IrishRugby #Building #teammates #Womensrugby pic.twitter.com/Nhpu09bpje
— Hannah Tyrrell (@HannahTyrrell21) March 19, 2018
1. You have an amazing success story to share with people but, at one point, you were really struggling, can you tell us about that?
I was brought to Pieta House when my parents and school learned that I was struggling with self-harm. I didn’t know anything about Pieta House before that day. However, I met a wonderful counsellor there, who was caring and kind and really helped me become comfortable about talking about the negative thoughts I had in my head.
My parents bringing me to Pieta House literally saved my life.
2. What services did they offer you and how did it help you?
I was offered counselling with them with a counsellor who specialised in young adults and self-harm. I attended twice a week at the start and then once a week. I went there for 6 months and my counsellor was fantastic. She didn’t force me to talk, she just tried to get me comfortable in the setting and was talking about my own hobbies, sports, and my friends. Eventually, I became comfortable around her and we began talking about my negative coping methods and trying to understand why I chose those when I was having a bad day.
3. What is the biggest takeaway you have from that time?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that everybody struggles with their mental health in some shape or form, even if it’s just a bad day or week or something more serious than that.
I couldn’t believe the response I got from opening up about my story, from people who were going through or had gone through something similar. By speaking out about my mental health, other people have had the confidence to reach out and ask for help.
4. What is the purpose of the Darkness into Light walk? What makes it so powerful?
Darkness into light encompasses the cliche saying that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The aim is to spread hope to those who may be struggling with their mental health. By taking part in mental health, people are reducing the stigma attached to mental health and showing pathways world that they are there for anyone who may be struggling and will support them through their journey.
It’s so powerful because it’s so relatable to those who have struggled or watched someone struggle. There are dark days for those struggling with their mental health but as your journey throughout your recovery, a light begins to emerge and at the end of it all and your recovery, it’s a new day, a new life to start enjoying again.
5. You have achieved a lot in the past few years, what's next?
Right now I’m focused on rugby 7s and qualifying for next year's Olympics in Tokyo, 2020. I just finished my masters for teaching so that I have something for when I finish up with rugby.
For more information in Darkness into Light, click here. To visit the Pieta House website, click here.
