Torch walk in memory of those lost to suicide

Loved ones of people lost to suicide will gather in Perth at 4am this weekend for a torchlit Light of Life walk to raise awareness of mental health.

Tracy Swan, whose daughter Jodie McNab took her own life at Murray Royal Hospital in 2013, has organised the walks since 2015 when it was previously called Darkness into Light.

The mum told The Courier the procession is in memory of all those lost to suicide while raising awareness of self-harm and the support networks now in place around the Fair City.

Tracy, who began the Lighthouse for Perth following her daughter’s death, hopes hundreds will gather with them at the South Inch shortly before 4am tomorrow.

Previous years have gathered around 150 walkers but Tracy expects more to join their first event in two years after the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “It’s a good thing for people to come along and they can speak to people who have been through the same thing as they have. Things have gotten worse over the last two years. There’s a lot of suicides in Perth that have gone under the radar.

“It’s a moment of reflection to everyone.”

A number of support groups for mental health, including the Lighthouse, Andy’s Man Club and Linda’s Ladies, have been set up in Perth and Kinross over the last few years

“I’m hoping this year will be a lot bigger because we have a lot of groups set up now. There’s so many different mental health services in Perth now so hopefully they will get out there.”

Tracy began the remembrance walks with families of other young people lost to suicide.

“There was a group of us that have all lost kids to suicide but since then it has been growing,” she pointed out.

The walk has changed its name to Light of Life so as not to get confused with the Darkness into Light walk which began in Dublin before becoming an international event.

Tracy has asked anyone joining the walk to bring a torch and said she will also have a bucket of candles.

The procession will leave the South Inch at 4am and make its way along Tay Street before sunrise.

LIGHT IN THE DARK: Tracy Swan, who lost her daughter to suicide, has organised the torchlit walks in Perth since 2015. Pictures by Kenny Smith.

Stopping along the way to light candles at the 2019 walk.