Aware candles to create ‘light in darkness of depression’

THOUSANDS of candles will be lit on the year’s darkest day next month for people affected by suicide and depression.

Aware, the national depression support organisation, knows too well that winter can be a dark and lonely time for someone suffering from depression.

There are around 300,000 people suffering from the illness that, if left untreated, can lead to suicide.

Last year, 451 people in this country died by suicide, a figure higher than that for road deaths.

Aware wants to end the terrible anguish and give back hope in creating "a light in the darkness of depression" on the winter solstice which this year falls on Sunday, December 21.

Lynn Green of Aware said they felt they had to do something to help people realise that they were not alone in their pain.

Ms Green said the organisation was also delighted that their campaign was being supported by celebrities, including broadcaster and Celebrity Farm contestant Paddy O'Gorman, 2FM DJ Gareth O'Callaghan and actress Mary McEvoy.

Also supporting the campaign is Mountjoy Prison governor John Lonergan, who, through his work, has an understanding of mental illness in Ireland.

Ms McEvoy and Mr O'Callaghan have supported Aware on numerous occasions as well as revealing their own personal journey through depression.

Mr O'Gorman said his support for Aware started last year when he supported the organisation's Daisy Days the organisation's annual fundraising event.

Time and time again, he has been struck by just how many people from all walks of life have been have been affected by suicide. "But it is still a subject that people will only talk about when my microphone is switched off," he said.

Mr Lonergan said: "One of the fundamental needs of society is to have someone there who cares and is prepared to share their time with someone who really needs it. Many prisoners would suffer from depression even before they got involved in crime."

Aware candles will be available in selected retail outlets and in all Superquinn stores for €3 each.

They will also be available in Eyre Square Shopping Centre in Galway (Dec 8); Terryland Shopping Centre, Galway (Dec 13) and Merchant's Quay Shopping Centre, Cork (Dec 13). More information is available from Aware at Tel [phone] and at www.aware.ie.