⚠️ Content note: this episode discusses a life-threatening brain injury, depression and suicidal thoughts. ⚠️ It also contains my guest's personal views on medicine and health. Nothing in this episode is medical advice. Full note and support services at the bottom. On the 20th of August 1999, Andrew Jenkins was pronounced dead at the side of the road. Four weeks in a coma, four months in hospital, and a surgeon who told him he would never walk again. He walked in two weeks. The harder recovery took far longer. For years he got up, put on a shirt and tie, went to work, and told no one how he felt. It was fifteen years before he went to counselling. Today Andrew is a TEDx and keynote speaker. After 30 years in banking and insurance, including as a Lloyds Bank branch manager, he helps leaders and teams thrive through courage, connection and authenticity. His personal mission is to reduce the rate of suicide in men. MY TAKE AS A PSYCHOLOGIST What stayed with me most was Andrew's counsellor telling him he wasn't depressed, he was grieving. In my work, I see how often people carry the loss of an identity, a sport, a career or a role, without ever recognising it as grief. If you have lost a version of yourself and feel stuck, this episode is for you. 🔗 CONNECT Andrew's website: andrew-jenkins.co.uk Andrew on Instagram: @andrewjenkinsofficial Andrew on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewjenkins-coach Work with me: marniemerrilees.com Follow me: @marniemerrilees New episode out now on Spotify, Apple & YouTube. If it resonates, like and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to keep up with future episodes. The psychological skills professionals use, made useful for everyday life. I'm Marnie Merrilees, the High Performance Psychologist. Dream big, and go make it happen. ⚠️ CONTENT NOTE This episode contains discussion of a serious brain injury, depression and suicidal thoughts. Please take care when listening, and skip or pause if you need to. Andrew also shares his own understanding of health and medicine, including views on vaccines and medication, on weight loss injections, and on the diagnosis of ADHD and depression in children. These are his personal views and his own account of his experience. They are not established fact, they have not been independently verified, and they do not represent my clinical view or the position of this podcast. My role in this conversation is to listen and to hold the space for Andrew's story, not to assess or endorse the claims made within it. Please do not act on any health claim made in this episode without speaking to a qualified professional who knows your circumstances. If you are worried about a child's mood or behaviour, please speak to your GP. This podcast is for information and reflection only. It is not psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment, and listening to it does not create a therapeutic relationship between us. 💛 IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP. IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY. If you ever find yourself experiencing extremely difficult thoughts or at risk of self harm or suicide, please know there are services and people ready to support you right now. For UK residents: Samaritans: call 116 123 (free, confidential, 24/7) Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, confidential, 24/7) CALM, Campaign Against Living Miserably: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight, every day) Andy's Man Club: peer support groups for men, run by men. Check online for your local group. Headway, the brain injury charity: 0808 800 2244 (free, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) If you are in crisis, please call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. Marnie Merrilees | High Performance Psychologist #HighPerformancePsychologist #BrainInjury #MensMentalHealth #AndrewJenkins #Podcast
