Before dawn on Saturday, nearly 150 people clad in green T-shirts gathered near Yeouido Station along the Han River in Seoul to participate in the second annual 5-kilometer community walk, “Solas,” meaning “light” in Irish Gaelic. Organized by the Korea-Ireland Association, the event aimed to raise mental health awareness and funds to support counseling services across South Korea.
The walk took place during Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 and sought to promote compassion, community solidarity, and openness as key tools in combating the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Irish Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Winthrop, speaking at the event, emphasized the widespread impact of mental health conditions such as depression. “Research shows that one of the most effective ways to support those struggling is to openly talk about it,” she said. “Yet stigma and misunderstanding often prevent people from sharing their experiences.”
Ambassador Winthrop highlighted the event’s dual purpose: to increase public understanding of mental health and to raise funds for St. John of God Hospitaller Services in Korea. “Since the 1950s, the Hospitaller Services — affectionately known in Ireland as ‘John O’God’ — have pioneered psychiatric care worldwide, including outpatient treatment, counseling, addiction support, and efforts to destigmatize suicide and depression,” she explained.
Among the participants was Warren Nyland, a licensed mental health therapist and emotional guidance counselor at Dalton School in Incheon’s Cheongna district. Prior to the walk, Nyland urged attendees to remember that no one should face hardships alone. “At my school, every door bears the phrase: ‘It’s okay not to be okay.’ Struggling is not shameful. Saying ‘I can’t do this right now’ is not weakness. Seeking help is a sign of strength,” he said. “Today, as you walk, be fully present. Feel the ground beneath your feet, notice those around you, breathe deeply, and walk together.”
Nyland, who has worked in South Korea’s mental health field for 15 years, reflected on cultural barriers that keep many silent. “Mental health struggles are invisible and often misunderstood, unlike a visible injury,” he said. “There is a misconception that mental health issues mean personal failure — this is false. We must encourage honesty so that people feel safe saying, ‘I’m not okay right now,’ and know they are not alone.”
He also spoke about the specific challenges faced by foreigners living in Korea, such as cultural adaptation and loneliness. “Having lived in Ireland, the U.S., and now Korea for over 17 years, I know these challenges firsthand. But support is available, and we are here to provide it.”
For Jorg Weberndorfer, a German working at the EU delegation in Seoul, the event was a memorable family experience. “It was my first time participating and I loved it,” he said. “Walking along the Han River with no cars or crowds was refreshing — it felt like a different city. I’m looking forward to next year.”
As the walk reached its midpoint, the sunrise over the eastern horizon served as a poignant reminder that no one faces their struggles alone. The event concluded with refreshments at the Conrad Seoul hotel garden on Yeouido Island. Simultaneous Solas walks were also held in Jeju and Busan, attracting 48 and 18 participants respectively.
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