06/09/2025

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SATURDAY | SEPT 6, 2025

Group honours wish of death-by-suicide friend

Trio get high on tree climbing hobby TUMPAT: While most teenagers are into gadgets and online games, three young friends have chosen a different hobby – pursuing the activity of tree climbing. Putri Nur Aisyah Mohamad Rizal, 14, Nur Husna Safiya Mohd Zulhusmi, 13, and her younger sister, Nur Hanis Syuhada Mohd Zulhusmi, 11, have been participating in the activity for the last several years. Putri Nur Aisyah, from Kampung Batu 14 in Hulu Langat, Selangor, shared that her interest developed after frequently accompanying her father, who is passionate about the hobby. “At first, I wasn’t interested. I was afraid. But after receiving encouragement and support from my parents, I gathered the courage. “The first tree I climbed was 15m tall, after receiving training from the Malaysia Tree Climbing Association (MTCA) and my father,” she told Bernama during a recent interview in Teluk Renjuna. The eldest of three siblings said apart from training with MTCA coaches, safety protocols were a key factor that encouraged her continued involvement. “I was trained to build muscle and leg endurance for climbing, as well as tree descent techniques, which require proper balance. We were also provided with special equipment such as ropes, gloves and safety helmets,” she said. Nur Husna Safiya said she gets a sense of joy from successfully climbing to the top of a tree. “At first, I felt dizzy and scared. As soon as I reached the top, I just wanted to come down quickly. But once I got used to it, that feeling disappeared. Now, I want to stay up there longer because it feels satisfying to have made the climb.” For Nur Hanis Syuhada, tree climbing is much more rewarding than playing online games. “I started challenging myself after seeing my sister successfully climb a tree. It is fun because it’s a great way to work out, and I’ve also made many new friends among the members of MTCA,“ she said. Putri Nur Aisyah’s mother, Siti Hawa Yahya, 41, said although she was initially worried about her daughter’s safety, her concerns eased once she learned that the training was conducted professionally by experienced coaches. “This activity has not only taught my child to handle emergencies with discipline, but it has also built her self-confidence and given her exposure to people from all walks of life,” she added. – Bernama

o Plan by deceased for island crossing swim to raise awareness on mental health completed by supporters

Ű BY DEBORAH LOH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

LANG TENGAH: Friends of the late Gwee Jo-Ee, who died by suicide last November, have honoured her wish by swimming 10km from here to Pulau Redang in Terengganu on Aug 30. More than a feat of endurance, the swim – dubbed Courage in the Current (CitC) – was intended to spark conversations on mental health and encourage those battling depression or suicidal thoughts to speak out and seek support. CitC was conceived by Gwee, 38, several months before her death. Diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2, she had been candid about her struggles, openly advocated suicide prevention and grieved the loss of a close friend who took her own life. She believed breaking the stigma and silence was essential to healing. Her plan had been to complete the 10km swim solo while raising funds for Befrienders Kuala Lumpur, an organisation running a 24-hour helpline for those in distress. For her, open-water swimming symbolised resilience in navigating the storms of mental illness. An avid swimmer, scuba diver, freediver and trained lifeguard, Gwee had spent months preparing and fundraising. Yet, behind her cheerful and generous personality, few saw the turmoil within. In a note she left behind, Gwee asked her friends to continue her mission. “The note mentioned my name and asked that the money she had crowdfunded be passed to me to continue her dream. I felt a responsibility to do so,” said Gwee’s swim mate, close friend and CitC co-director Sugania Vijaya. Her swim squad undertook the task of

Some of the swimmers who took part in the 10km swim on Aug 30.

Befrienders KL executive director Kenny Lim told the forum that warning signs include sudden changes in mood and eating habits as well as prolonged self-isolation. “Encourage them to talk, but avoid giving false assurances such as ‘things will get better’ or telling them to ‘move on.’ “Validate their feelings instead because what they need most is empathy and unconditional acceptance. “People with suicidal intent do not necessarily want to end their lives, they want to end their pain. Apart from offering a listening ear, we must link them to professional care,” he said. According to the Statistics Department, 1,087 suicides were recorded in 2023 – an average of about three deaths daily. There were 1,142 cases in 2021 and 981 in 2022. However, non-profit mental health advocacy group Relate Malaysia believes the true number is higher, citing underreporting and misclassification. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, seek help. Talk to someone you trust or call Befrienders at 03-7627 2929.

organising the event – covering safety, logistics and technical aspects – while raising over RM102,000 for Befrienders KL. On the day of the swim, 20 participants – four solo and 16 in relay teams – completed the crossing in about five hours, with the occasional jellyfish encounter but otherwise unimpeded. Accompanying them were safety boats with medical personnel, assistance crew and supporters. For Gwee’s grieving family, the swim was a source of comfort. “The love of her friends compels us to speak up and share, so that others suffering can gain courage to speak as well,” said her brother Kelvin, who attended the event with their parents. CitC co-event director Shauqie Aziz, who was Gwee’s coach and close friend, stressed the importance of community in lending courage to a struggling individual. “Jo-Ee was brave to speak about her condition but what probably helped her was having a community she felt safe with,” he said. CitC also organised a public mental health talk on Aug 2, in which participants learnt how to support those with depression.

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