Dubbed “Courage in the Current”, the six-hour swim is more than a test of endurance – it’s a bold stand for mental health and suicide prevention in Malaysia.
The swim was the brainchild of the late Jo-Ee Gwee, who tragically lost her battle with suicide last November. “Courage in the Current” was her vision – to break the silence around mental health and dismantle the stigma surrounding suicide.
“Mental health struggles are often hidden. Stigma keeps people silent and silence can be deadly. So, we swim to break that silence,” Sugania Vijayan, the event’s co-director, and Gwee’s friend, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
Sugania revealed that Gwee – who was always full of life and laughter – found her voice after opening up about her own mental health journey and suicide attempt at an Awareness Against Suicide Malaysia (Awas) training session. It was from there that the idea for “Courage in the Current” was born.
“She wanted to create mental health awareness, talk about suicide prevention, and start conversations because she felt there was so much stigma on this subject,” said Sugania, an aquatic biologist and vertical landscaper.
Beyond raising awareness, “Courage in the Current” aims to raise RM75,000 for Befrienders KL, a 24-hour helpline for those facing emotional distress and suicidal thoughts.
As of 10.30am today (June 16), more than RM60,000 has been raised. A free suicide prevention talk with mental health advocates and a therapist is also planned for early August.
“We want to talk about how to identify a person who’s having these struggles, how you can provide emotional support and guide them so they don’t tilt from just having mental struggles to suicidal tendencies or ideation. We don’t want that,” Sugania stressed.
Gwee’s friend and fellow swimmer, Mable Leong, remembers her fondly. “She was actually a very bubbly person. I didn’t realise she had bipolar, but I noticed something different – she could get very hurt, but she was also so enthusiastic and excited.”
Leong recalled a Sunday when there was no lifeguard during an early morning swim. Gwee volunteered to watch over the group. “She wanted to make sure that we were all safe. That’s Jo-Ee.”
Small, quiet acts like that made it impossible for her friends to let the dream die with her. Gwee’s personal challenge soon became a collective mission, as Sugania, Leong, and their swim circle rallied to carry her message of hope forward.
“You’d be amazed at how many people have come back to us and said, ‘I’m really glad you’re doing this. We’ve lost people to suicide’ or ‘It’s difficult for me to open up, I’m having mental health issues. I’m glad that you’re doing this’,” said Leong.
She added that swimming in open water is a powerful metaphor for life: “It shows how unpredictable things can be. We all face challenges – but with the right mindset and community, we can ride the waves and emerge as overcomers.”
In fact, Gwee’s final wish was for her friends to continue her mission. She left a note with her mother that stated this, along with money she had crowdfunded. Despite the pain of losing their daughter, Gwee’s family have given the initiative their full support.
“We’re incredibly grateful to her friends who have taken up her mission,” Kelvin, Gwee’s brother, shared. “Their dedication to spreading her message reminds us that her voice lives on, even though she is no longer here. If sharing her story can help even one person, then her legacy will be one of hope and healing, not just loss.”
When asked what message they wished to share through “Courage in the Current”, Sugania and Leong said they hoped it would become a beacon of hope for others – to show that even if Gwee’s voice wasn’t heard in time, her legacy might still save someone else.
“Our message is simple – courage in the current, literally. If you have the right community and the right mindset, you can be an overcomer in spite of your fears and struggles in life,” Leong concluded.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, reach out to someone you trust or call Befrienders at 03-76272929.
To donate to the ‘Courage in the Current’ fundraiser, click here.