In the early hours of Saturday 10 May, over 500 people united to walk 5 km from dawn into daylight to show solidarity with those silently struggling with their mental health.
The annual 'Darkness into Light' initiative began in 2009, organised by Irish suicide prevention charity Pieta. It has since grown into a global movement.
As a display of solidarity, walkers make the transition from darkness into light to symbolise the journey of mental health struggles and light at the end of the tunnel, while raising money for charity.
Community Help Service Belgium (CHS) partnered with Pieta this year to bring the event to Brussels and raise funds for the charity.
Over 500 participants gathered in Parc du Cinquantenaire at the end of the 5 km walk that began and ended under the arches of Cinquantenaire. The length of the walk was lit with flickering candles as the crowd moved in silence. The park was also lit with candles spelling out 'hope' and the French equivalent espoir.
Credit: Community Help Service
People in Leuven, Ghent and Bruges also walked 5 km into lightness to support the cause.
CHS is run by trained volunteers eager to provide aid to those dealing with stress, anxiety, loneliness, burnout, addictions and suicidal thoughts. The volunteers are qualified using the UK's Samaritans training materials.
It costs more than €100 per day to maintain the functioning of the organisation. This year's event saw €30,000 raised in favour of Community Help Service Belgium. The sum will go towards the continued running of CHS' 24/7 Helpline, providing support to the English-speaking community across the country.
'A vital service'
CHS receives at least one call a day from someone at risk of suicide, with a survey noting that over 35% of Walloon and Brussels residents have faced suicidal thoughts in their lifetime.
Figures released by Sciensano in 2021 highlighted that almost four Belgians die by suicide daily, systemically higher than the EU average. Latest figures from 2023 saw a 30% increase in unique callers to the CHS helpline in 2023. There was also an increase in the amount of time spent on calls, totalling 1,084 hours – a 5% increase from 2022 to 2023.
The President of CHS, Jeremy Jennings, expressed gratitude for the support received through the 'Darkness into Light' walk. He said CHS was "deeply honoured to have been chosen as the Belgian partner for this year's event," which allows the organisation to continue providing crucial assistance nationwide.
Anyone having suicidal thoughts can contact the Suicide Prevention Centre hotline at 0800/32/123. The service is anonymous, free and available 24/7. More information can be found here. The CHS Helpline can be reached at CHS Helpline number 0264/84/014. Un pass dans l'impasse can be reached at 0817/77/150. In Flanders, the helpline 1813 can be reached 24/7.
