Swimming for a Cause: Coach Dreh’s Bold Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Imagine swimming the entire length of a bridge—11.8 kilometers—amidst the flowing waters beneath. That’s exactly what Nigerian swimming coach Akinrodoye Dare, also known as Coach Dreh, accomplished on a Saturday that won’t be forgotten easily.
Reports buzzed as Coach Dreh dove into the challenge of crossing the iconic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. With sheer determination, he conquered the daunting distance in two hours and 33 minutes, and fifty seconds. The applause wasn’t just for his physical prowess; it was for a noble cause he championed along the way—raising awareness for mental health.
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ocial media lit up with a video shared by #MeetPrinceAhmad, shedding light on Coach Dreh’s remarkable feat. The caption on the video spoke volumes: “Today, the 30th of March, 2024, a young man defied all odds and daringly swam the 11.8km length of the third mainland bridge in 2hrs33mins50secs.”
Coach Dreh’s courageous act wasn’t merely about conquering waters; it was about breaking the silence surrounding mental health struggles, especially those related to suicide and depression. His strokes through the Lagos lagoon weren’t just physical; they were symbolic of the journey many silently navigate every day—the struggle against invisible currents of despair.
In a world where mental health awareness is gaining momentum, Coach Dreh’s swim was a poignant reminder. It was a reminder that sometimes, the bravest strokes are those taken in the depths of our minds, battling against tides of uncertainty and darkness.
As the ripples from Coach Dreh’s swim continue to spread, let it be a beacon of hope. Let it remind us all that every stroke, every conversation about mental health, brings us closer to shores of understanding and support.
This was disclosed in a video shared by a social media user #MeetPrinceAhmad, via his X handle on Saturday, March 30.
The video caption reads: ” Today, the 30th March, 2024. A young man defied all odds and daringly swam the 11.8km length of the third mainland bridge in 2hrs33mins50 secs.
Credit: X // MeetPrinceAhmad
