As darkness falls on the shortest day of the year on December 21st, people are being asked to light a candle in recognition of those affected by depression and suicide.
The fundraising and awareness campaign "A light in the darkness of depression" was launched yesterday by Aware, the national depression support organisation.
"Winter can be a dark and lonely time for someone suffering from depression and in Ireland, 300,000 people currently suffer from the illness," Ms Lynn Greene, of Aware said. If left untreated, depression could lead to suicide. Last year, 451 people in the State died by suicide, a figure higher than that for road deaths, she said. The sentiment behind the campaign was that as darkness falls on December 21st, people would light an Aware candle to recognise those affected by depression and suicide, Ms Greene said.
The campaign was supported at the launch by Mr John Lonergan, the governor of Mountjoy Prison, who was introduced as having a vast knowledge and understanding of mental illness, and personalities Mr Paddy O'Gorman and Ms Mary McEvoy.
€3 candles are available in Superquinn stores or by contacting Aware in Lower Leeson Street, Dublin.