CitC 2025 Recap

Today, we had the honour of meeting Hakimi Radzi of Pusat Pakar Mata Eyecare Specialist Eye Centre at the swimming pool; not just to thank him for EyeCare’s sponsorship of Courage in the Current, but also to wish him a very happy birthday!Your support means so much to the CitC movement; it’s a strong show of belief in our mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health. With partners like you, we’re building a Malaysia where open conversations and support are possible for everyone.Thank you for your generosity, your presence, and your trust in us. Selamat Hari Lahir, Hakimi! 

Angeline Ching

swimmer

I only started swimming a year ago. At first, it was just about picking up a new skill, but somewhere along the way I discovered something more; a passion I didn’t know I had. In the water, the noise of the world fades away. It calms me, it heals me, and it reminds me I’m alive.I never knew Jo-Ee, but I was moved by her dream to raise awareness for mental health through the sea. Even though our paths never crossed, her courage speaks to me.For me, this swim means more than just crossing the distance. Just like the waves- even when we feel like we’re sinking, we can still rise. I know how heavy life can feel at times, and that’s why I swim; to remind myself and others that we are never truly alone. Even in the darkest moments, there is always hope; and people who care.

Chen Yee

volunteer

I felt an instant connection with Jo-Ee because, like me, she always brought her own containers and cutleries to our makan-makan gatherings, and reminded others to do the same to reduce waste. Her care for people and the environment showed clearly in both her words and actions.|To me, Courage in the Current is a movement that brings the swimming community together to reflect on mental health. This is a community effort, so does healing. Personally, I want to use this opportunity to deepen my understanding of suicide prevention.Seeing my friends commit to this cause so wholeheartedly has inspired me to contribute in my own way. As a graphic designer who’s always been passionate about projects rooted in local culture, community, and the environment, I’m honoured to create the logo and visual materials for the team.Although I won’t be taking part in the swim, my spirit is in the logo accompanying the team through the water and beyond!

Shaun Nicholas

swimmer

I only learned to swim last year. At first, every lap felt uncertain, every breath a small victory. But with time, I discovered something greater than swimming itself; I found courage.Even though I did not personally know Jo-Ee, her story and her vision have touched me deeply. To swim in her memory, and alongside others who believe in this cause, is an honor I will carry in every stroke.The ocean reminds us of life’s struggles; the currents that feel too strong, the moments we feel like giving up. But it also shows us resilience, hope, and the power of moving forward together.This journey is more than a swim. It is a reminder that mental health matters, that we are never truly alone, and that with courage and compassion, we can create ripples of change.

Jeffrey Low

swimmer

I will always carry two words from Joey: "Light up." She bought each of the night swim newbies an illuminated light so that we would get spotted by the boatman during our first night swim at Besut in July 2024.This was her way. She was the one who would stand watch from the pool deck if a lifeguard was late, her eyes a silent safeguard for her fellow swimmers. Her actions were never grand, but rather like the gentle, steady glow of those lights: constant, reassuring, and essential.She showed us that angels walk among us, not with fanfare, but with quiet acts of light. And her legacy is a call to us all: to be that light for someone else. To ensure that every angel, and every soul, is seen, valued, and illuminated.

Angeline Elias

swimmer

I swim for the fun, joy and the stillness of water so powerful that thought me the meaning of resilience, and the rhythm of resistance - How hope can float when clenched with all its might.I choose to swim in CitC to commemorate the beautiful soul of JoEe whom I’ve known for a very brief period, yet she has left an impact on me when she founded CitC project; having the courage and boldness to go public, breaking the silence of once a taboo topic to speak out openly echoing that “It’s okay not to be okay”, and you’re not alone on this journey.

Zi Lui Ooi

swimmer

You don’t need a million reasons to swim, but no one swims without one.For me, swimming is healing. It eases the soreness left by dry-land sports, cools me down when the weather turns fiery, and quiets the restless thoughts that challenge me from time to time.I enjoy immersing myself into the sound of silence underwater, where I find a space free of judgment, a place where I can simply reflect, relate and connect.I swim for courage. Seeking what’s out of place within me, and to find the strength to put those pieces back together.

Sugania Vijayan

volunteer

"When She Said Hi"Once upon a time, a bright light came,With laughter loud and heart untamed.Her name was Jo-Ee.... a smile, a spark,A soul that lit up even the dark.She said "Hi!...simple, sincere,Seeking connection, drawing near.Behind the grin, behind the cheer,She held a sorrow, steeped in fear.Mental battles no one could see,The dance between the depths and glee.Among the swim squad, her light would shine,But solitude erased the line.In November 2024, her voice grew small,“I am a danger to myself” she said — I heard the call.But I didn’t know the depths she'd face,The grip of sorrow, the silent space.Darkness crept, it clung, it stayed,With every blow, her spirit swayed."I might as well die than live like this,"Words I now replay as I clench my fist.I tried..God knows...I tried to be near,But her storm was more than I could steer.On the day I sang for my child’s new year,I learned my friend was no longer here.A call, a frantic, pleading voice,A cruel twist — no second choice.She didn’t reach out, not this time,And now I search for reasons, for signs.She left behind her jokes, her grace,Her messages, her dancing face.And though she’s gone, a part remains,In my heart, in joy...

Shauqie Aziz

volunteer

"Shauqie, thank you for everything you have done for me". Those words, which I thought held no weight that night, now haunt me. If I had known that would be our last conversation, I would have done more. I would have picked up the phone and called her immediately.On 19 November 2024, I reached one of the saddest points in my life, which lasted for two weeks. I lost a close friend of mine to suicide. The personal loss and the void it left in my life were profound. I had thought that giving a pair of ears to a friend over the phone every single day in two months would help her somehow.However, that's not the case; the matter is that I was not equipped with the knowledge to handle this affair properly. It's crucial that our society can provide support and understanding for those struggling with mental health. Often, we do not pay as much attention to our mental health as we do to our physical health, and this neglect can have serious consequences.Our mind is incredibly powerful. Everything we do starts in our mind, not in the physical world. Therefore, we should care for our minds as...

Ashley Chew

swimmer

A few years ago, I hit a wall.Not a physical one—but a mental and emotional wall that left me stuck in a version of myself I didn’t recognize.On the outside, I looked fine. I was working, delivering results, smiling when needed.But inside? I was breaking.The anxiety, the stress—it all built up until I could no longer feel joy. Just a constant heaviness.I became what I can only describe as a high-functioning zombie—moving through life, but not truly living.Eventually, I found the strength to say: I need help.I reached out to a therapist. I called Befrienders KL just to talk. And in those moments of honesty and vulnerability, something shifted.Slowly, I began to heal.Then I started swimming with MySwimCoaching.And that became my turning point.Every time I swam, I felt like I was pressing reset.The water quieted the noise in my head. It made overwhelming problems feel smaller. It gave me space to breathe, to feel, to just be.Swimming became my sanctuary. My human charger.It helped me feel light again—mentally, emotionally, spiritually.And that is why I choose to swim in Courage in the Current.This isn't just another event.It’s a tribute swim honouring Jo-Ee Gwee—an incredible open water swimmer, mental health advocate, and...

Shirley Tay

swimmer

Everyone has their own chapter in life; just like the sea, it’s never always calm.Some days are peaceful and bright, others arrive with storms. But what matters most is how we grow mentally, and how we find the strength to keep moving forward.I’ve had my share of highs and lows. These moments; whether joyful or painful; can’t be erased. We were brought up to resolve things on our own; to stay strong, stay silent, and not burden others. We’re comfortable sharing our happy moments, but when it comes to sadness, grief, or struggle, we often keep it buried. These unspoken chapters leave a mark. For me, I’ve learned to acknowledge them; to either accept or let go.During some of my hardest times, I turned to the outdoors for healing. I explored cycling, hiking, scuba diving, triathlon, bikepacking, and open water swimming. Of all these activities, the ones that resonate most deeply are the sea-related ones: scuba diving and open water swimming. They’ve become a constant in my life; a source of strength, peace, and perspective. I find comfort in the sea, whether it’s calm or choppy; much like how we navigate both good and difficult days in life. The ocean...

Laurent Nguyen

swimmer

Swimming has always been a way for me to express my freedom.I’ve long been inspired by those who can glide through open water; there’s something powerful about how it seems to wash away fear and quiet the mind.For much of my life, the sea represented both awe and anxiety. It wasn’t until after turning 40 that I truly began learning endurance swimming and gradually overcoming the challenges of the open water. Through training, I’ve grown more confident in the sea and discovered its beauty; not just as a physical space, but as a space of healing and self-discovery.I don’t aim to be the best swimmer, but I want to swim my best, to inspire others to face their fears and push through life’s obstacles.I joined Courage in the Current because I promised Jo-ed I would swim with her, not realising at the time the depth of her personal struggles. I wish I could have done more. This swim is my way of honouring that promise — and of standing with everyone who faces invisible battles with fear, with grief, or with mental health.It’s not just a swim. It’s a tribute, a message of support, and a reminder that no one...

Katarina Antusova

mental health advisor

For some, the water is a place of exercise.For others, it’s a place of peace.For Jo Ee, it was both.She was a passionate open water swimmer; graceful, strong, and deeply connected to the sea. But more than anything, swimming was her sanctuary. It was how she coped with the quiet weight of life’s inner struggles; the ones most people never saw.Like many who experience anxiety, emotional pain, or depression, Jo Ee had good days and hard days. Swimming helped her stay afloat; not just physically, but emotionally. It gave her space to breathe, to feel, to be. The water didn't ask her to explain. It simply held her.Today, we want to honor her story by sharing what she already knew: Swimming can be a powerful support for mental health.There’s something unique about the rhythm of swimming. The steady motion, the repetitive strokes, the sound of breath echoing in water; it all draws attention away from overthinking and anchors it in the present moment. In the water, we’re less likely to be caught up in the mental noise of what went wrong or what needs to happen next. We simply are. And in that stillness, the nervous system starts to soften....

I enjoy swimming and being in the water. Being in the water gives me my “Me Time”, away from the daily hustle and bustle.Being in the water, I get to spend time for myself and live and enjoy the moment. It makes me happy.Water calms me down with its soothing sound, the sense of weightlessness, especially in the ocean with the sun, the sound of waves, nature, and the openness.I was on the same Redang-Lang Tengah cross-channel swim trip as Jo-Ee last July - the swim that inspired her to initiate the Courage in the Current fundraising effort for Befrienders KL, aiming to raise awareness about mental health challenges.It broke my heart to know of Jo-Ee’s sudden departure shortly after she kicked off the inspiring fundraising effort. She has always been the bubbly and jovial person that I know in our swim squad, and she had so much ahead of her for her young age.Before Jo-Ee’s demise, I had been very ignorant of mental health challenges and how prevalent and serious the issue is amongst all of us.I made it my goal to participate in the Courage in the Current fundraising swim when I was first told about the continuation...

Mimi Tan Lai Tee

swimmer

Taking part in the swim to support our dear friend, JoEe’s idea that our environment is everything, to provide a “safe space” for everyone! For JoEe’s family & friends, and with everyone’s untiring effort in putting everything together, I would like to express gratitude & rejoice in this given opportunity to make it happen for what JoEe’s hoping forMay all be well & happy

Stella Ong

swimmer

To some people, swimming is a skill, a goal, a form of exercise or a stress-reliever. To me, it saved my life. It kept me sane by being disciplined and focused through a time of adversity. Tears and chlorine were one to keep me at bay. My swim mates were my anchor and pillar and they mean the world to me. I choose to swim in CitC because I know there are many people like Jo-Ee and me, where we find it hard to articulate and so we swim. The water is our witness, our companion. I hope that people out there know that it is not the end of the road...we just need ro reach out; help is there. I get to live to see another day.. I wish she could have too.

Wong Pui Yan

swimmer

I have been swimming for many years. Even so, 10KM in the open sea will be a challenge for me. It will be my first. Why I chose to take up the challenge was to put myself in Jo-Ee’s shoes. As a woman in the group of solo swimmers, I somehow feel a deep connection to Jo-Ee’s experience. What will the sea conditions be like? Will I be successful? I feel all eyes are on me. I am pouring my heart into organising this swim and my training. I am doing so to honour Jo-Ee’s life and to give voice to her mission of suicide prevention. To say, “thank you for touching my life.” At the same time, this is for friendship as well - I stand in solidarity with my friends who are transforming their pain of loss into a mission of hope through Courage in the Current.