Sunrise walk brings light to mental health awareness in Korea

Before dawn on Saturday, nearly 150 people wearing green T-shirts gathered near Yeouinaru Station near the Han River for the second annual 5-kilometer community walk known as Solas, from the Irish Gaelic word for "light." Organized by the Irish Association of Korea, the walk aimed to raise awareness of mental health and well-being, while also raising funds to support mental health counseling services in Korea. The event was timed for the end of Mental Health Awareness Month 2025, emphasizing the importance of compassion, community and openness in breaking stigmas around mental health. Ambassador of Ireland to Korea Michelle Winthrop said in her welcoming remarks that mental health issues like depression affect countless individuals across all walks of life. Evidence shows that one of the most effective steps a person struggling with such problems can take is to talk about it. Yet for many, opening up feels difficult or even impossible due to stigma and misunderstanding. “We’re here not only to encourage people to speak out when they’re struggling but also to foster a culture of aWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times