In a remarkable display of courage and determination, Nigerian athlete Akinrodoye Samuel, popularly known as Coach Dreh, swam across the 11.8 kilometers-long water of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos. This feat was not just a test of physical endurance but a powerful statement to raise awareness about mental health.
On a Saturday morning, Coach Dreh embarked on the task from Oworonshoki, Mainland, to Adeniji Adenle on the Island. The professional swimming coach, CEO of Ocean 28 Swimming Academy, completed his breath-taking exercise in two hours and 33 minutes.
The motivation behind this extraordinary feat was deeply personal. Moved by the death of a friend and the realization of how depression can ruin lives, Samuel decided to use his decade-long experience as a swimmer to make a difference. “Mental health is a course that I am passionate about. Life can be very tough and I think it is okay to ask for help,” he said.
Accompanied by friends and colleagues who cheered him throughout the process, Samuel swam the entire length of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge. His endeavor was themed ‘Swim Against Suicide And Depression’.
Samuel’s initiative has brought mental health issues, particularly suicide and depression, into the spotlight. A 2021 UNICEF report showed one in six Nigerians aged between 15 and 24 were depressed, anxious, or had other mental health issues. Samuel’s swim is a call to action against these alarming statistics.
This event underscores the importance of mental health and encourages open conversations about it in Nigeria’s culturally conservative society. It also highlights the role individuals can play in raising awareness and breaking the stigma associated with mental health.
In conclusion, Coach Dreh’s swim across the Lagos lagoon is a remarkable feat that goes beyond physical endurance. It is a powerful statement about the importance of mental health awareness and a call to action for everyone to take mental health seriously. As Samuel said, “Your life can stay positively within a twinkle of an eye. Stay alive to witness it”. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that exists between personal struggles and societal expectations, and the role each one of us can play in making mental health a priority.