Solas sunrise walk draws 200-plus in four Korean cities for mental health

More than 200 people rose before dawn Saturday to walk 5 kilometers across four South Korean cities in the third annual Solas Sunrise Walk, a community event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise awareness about mental health and fund suicide-prevention counseling services, the Korea Times reported.

The event, formerly known as "Darkness into Light," reflects a growing push to reduce the stigma around mental health in South Korea, drawing diplomats from five countries alongside expatriates and Korean residents who see the Irish model — which has cut Ireland's suicide rate by one-third over 25 years — as a potential template for change.

The walk was held simultaneously in Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island and Jeonju, with Jeonju hosting the event for the first time. About 100 of the participants gathered near Yeouinaru Station in Seoul, according to the Korea Times.

Irish Ambassador Michelle Winthrop said the cause is a personal mission for her family. "When we came to Korea, my family and I made mental health our personal mission. We are very committed to fighting the stigma around depression and suicide, and encouraging people to take a proactive approach to their mental health," Winthrop said, according to the Korea Times. She added: "It really is OK not to be OK — I cannot stress that message enough."

Warren Neiland, wellbeing officer for the Irish Association of Korea and a school counselor at Cheongna Dalton School, opened the event with an Irish proverb. "Ní neart go cur le chéile, there is no strength without unity. And that's exactly what today represents. As we move forward together, let's carry kindness, encouragement and understanding with us, not only during this walk, but long after today is over," Neiland said, according to the Korea Times.

Benjamin Osei, who traveled from the United Kingdom, said the message resonated. "I think it's for a very good cause. One of the key messages was that it's OK not to be OK. If you're feeling stressed, it's important to talk to somebody," Osei said, according to the Korea Times.

Belgian Ambassador Bruno Jans, Austrian Ambassador Eva Russek and Slovak Ambassador Marek Repovsky also participated, the Korea Times reported. Doreen Frawley, an Irish expatriate who teaches at Dongguk University, closed with a note of encouragement. "It's always OK, if you don't feel OK, to talk to somebody. Remember, one day at a time, and the next day the sun will come up again," Frawley said, according to the Korea Times.

Participants in green T-shirts — the event's symbol of mental health awareness — completed the 5-kilometer route just as the sun rose, an image organizers said reflects the walk's core message: that light follows darkness.