A remarkable journey across the sea, a 10km swimming from Pulau Lang Tengah to Pulau Redang, lies at the heart of Courage in the Current, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health in Malaysia.
The campaign honours Jo-Ee Gwee, a passionate open-water swimmer who lived with depression and bipolar disorder. For Jo-Ee, the sea was a place of solace, freedom, and courage. Her wish was to break the silence around mental health, so others would feel less alone. Today, her legacy continues through this event, supported by Befrienders KL and embraced by many who share the vision of hope and healing.
The Chengal team was deeply honoured to be invited as speakers for this meaningful campaign. Dr. Johan, Head Psychiatrist, Barry Ooi, Co-founder, and Sherlyn Tan, inspirational creator and founder of Twenty3, shared insights on:
- How to recognise early signs of depression and distress in young people
- Understand when and how to seek professional intervention
- Insights from their own life experiences: How caregivers accompany a depressed partner
Speaking at Courage in the Current was both humbling and inspiring. Conversations about suicide are never easy, but they are necessary. By creating safe spaces to talk about mental health, we move closer to a community where support is accessible, compassion is practised, and silence is replaced by understanding.
Many participants attended the event to listen, engage in discussion, mini games, and sticky boards, and also ask thoughtful questions, making the session both meaningful and beneficial. (The nice refreshments were also provided.)
As the swimmers take on the currents, they carry with them a message far greater than the distance covered: that courage is not the absence of struggle, but the strength to keep going together.
You can watch the full videos of the speech from Chengal team here:
Speech at Courage in the Current
If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that help is available. You can reach out to Chengal Clinic (+603-5633 8386), Befrienders KL (03-7627 2929) or other mental health professionals for support.
by Paris Le
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