“Mental health first aid is just as important as CPR,” says BBC The Traitors finalist Andrew Jenkins, who is using his extraordinary survival story to help others speak up, seek support and learn how to save lives.
When Andrew Jenkins appeared on BBC’s The Traitors in 2024, viewers across the UK connected with his quiet strength, openness and authenticity. But behind the castle walls and mind games, Andrew was already carrying a powerful story — one that began with a near-fatal car crash and led him on a journey of survival, silence and eventually, self-acceptance. Now, he is using that story to help others, especially when it comes to mental health and the importance of first aid that goes beyond physical injury.
Back in August 1999, Andrew was 21 years old when he lost control of his car and suffered life-changing injuries. He was dragged along the road, his skull shattered, and his body crushed beneath the car. “When the emergency services turned up, they thought I was dead at the side of the road,” he told St John Ambulance Cymru’s Sam Cook during an episode of podcast series, Just in Case: Stories from St John. “I had two blood transfusions on the spot. I lost six pints of blood.”
Andrew was put into a coma and underwent major surgery to remove bone from his brain. What followed was a long physical recovery, but the emotional scars took much longer to heal.
“I hated myself,” he admitted. “I suffered in silence for many years. I used to wear long-sleeve shirts all the time. I only started wearing short sleeves about five years ago. I couldn’t accept my scarring. I’d look in the mirror and call myself a freak.”
He said that while he smiled in public, privately, he was struggling every day. “Behind closed doors, I hated what I saw in the mirror. I’d lie in bed crying. My own family didn’t see it. I just got up every day, put on a shirt and tie, and forced myself to go to work.”
It took Andrew more than two decades to truly speak about his experience. A turning point came when he tracked down the surgeon who had saved his life. “He said, ‘You’re a miracle.’ That made me realise how lucky I was to be here. I could either spend the rest of my life resentful or use my trauma to help others.”
Since then, Andrew has become a passionate advocate for open conversation and mental health education. While he has received traditional first aid training, including the use of defibrillators through roles in security and management, he has also come to see the value in mental health first aid.
“I didn’t even know mental health first aid was a thing,” he said. “But it makes total sense. Sometimes, people just need someone to sit with them, not fix them. They want someone to listen. That alone can be lifesaving.”
Andrew believes strongly in lived experience. “I’m not a qualified counsellor. I tell people that straight away. But they don’t care. They say, ‘I just want to talk to someone who understands.’ That’s why I think training in this area is so important. It gives people confidence to help, even if all they do is listen.”
He is also a strong supporter of St John Ambulance Cymru, whose mental health first aid courses are open to the public. “Mental health doesn’t discriminate,” Andrew said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. It can affect your friends, your family and your colleagues. If I had someone close to me going through something, I’d want to be able to help and say the right thing.”
He added, “People fear saying the wrong thing. But training helps with that. You learn how to spot signs and how to respond without judgment. I would say to anyone thinking about it: do the course.”
Andrew’s talks now reach schools, conferences and communities across Wales. He aims to break the silence he lived with for 25 years. “I want people to know that opening up doesn’t make you weak,” he said. “I want to reduce suicide rates. I want people to understand that grief doesn’t only happen when someone dies. You can grieve a job, a sport, your old self. That was me.”
He hopes that sharing his story helps others take steps sooner. “It took me 24 years to accept what happened. If I can save someone else from waiting that long, it’s worth it.”
Andrew’s story reminds us that first aid is not only about bandages and CPR. It’s about recognising when someone is struggling and having the confidence to help. As he said, “Prevention is better than cure. Nobody’s coming to save us. So, we need to look after our physical and mental health. If we do that, we can be there for others, too.”
St John Ambulance Cymru’s mental health first aid course is ideal for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of mental health and develop the skills to support their own and others' wellbeing in the workplace. Whether you're a manager, team leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about creating a supportive work environment, this training will equip you with the confidence to make a real difference.
The course involves an engaging learning experience centred around real-life scenarios and practical exercises. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a St John Ambulance Cymru certificate of competence, certifying them as Mental Health First Aiders. For those interested in obtaining a Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid, a separate formal, proctored examination is available upon request. To find out more, visit https://www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/courses/MHFA
Just in Case: Stories from St John is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes set to release every month. St John Ambulance Cymru provides lifesaving support at events across Wales and delivers first aid training to people of all ages. To get involved, book training, or support their work, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk.
To listen on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-in-case-stories-from-st-john/id1830427277
To listen on Spotify visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/05SXgJnpuJ2oX176hzSAcq
Cystadleuydd rownd derfynol The Traitors yn cefnogi ymgyrch Achub Bywyd ym mis Medi gyda neges iechyd meddwl bwerus
“Mae cymorth cyntaf iechyd meddwl yr un mor bwysig â CPR,” meddai Andrew Jenkins, a gyrhaeddodd rownd derfynol The Traitors ar y BBC, sy’n defnyddio ei stori goroesi ryfeddol i helpu eraill i siarad, ceisio cymorth a dysgu sut i achub bywydau.
Pan ymddangosodd Andrew Jenkins ar The Traitors y BBC yn 2024, cysylltodd gwylwyr ledled y DU â'i gryfder tawel, ei agoredrwydd a'i ddilysrwydd. Ond y tu ôl i furiau'r castell a'r gemau meddwl, roedd Andrew eisoes yn cario stori bwerus - un a ddechreuodd gyda damwain car bron yn angheuol ac a'i harweiniodd ar daith o oroesi, distawrwydd ac yn y pen draw, hunan-dderbyniad. Nawr, mae'n defnyddio ei stori i helpu eraill, yn enwedig o ran iechyd meddwl a phwysigrwydd cymorth cyntaf sy'n mynd y tu hwnt i anaf corfforol.
Ym mis Awst 1999, roedd Andrew yn 21 oed pan gollodd reolaeth ar ei gar a dioddef anafiadau a newidiodd ei fywyd. Cafodd ei lusgo ar hyd y ffordd, ei benglog wedi'i chwalu, a'i gorff wedi'i falu o dan y car. “Pan ddaeth y gwasanaethau brys, roedden nhw'n meddwl fy mod i wedi marw ar ochr y ffordd,” meddai wrth Sam Cook o St John Ambulance Cymru yn ystod pennod o'r gyfres bodlediad, Just in Case: Stories from St John. “Cefais ddau drallwysiad gwaed ar unwaith. Collais chwe pheint o waed.”
Cafodd Andrew ei roi mewn coma a chafodd lawdriniaeth fawr i dynnu asgwrn o'i ymennydd. Yr hyn a ddilynodd oedd adferiad corfforol hir, ond cymerodd y creithiau emosiynol lawer mwy o amser i wella.
“Roeddwn i’n casáu fy hun,” cyfaddefodd. “Dioddefais yn dawel am flynyddoedd lawer. Roeddwn i’n arfer gwisgo crysau llewys hir drwy’r amser. Dim ond tua phum mlynedd yn ôl y dechreuais wisgo llewys byr. Doeddwn i ddim yn gallu derbyn fy nghreithiau. Byddwn i’n edrych yn y drych ac yn galw fy hun yn ffric.”
Dywedodd, er ei fod yn gwenu'n gyhoeddus, yn breifat, oedd bob dydd yn anodd. “Y tu ôl i ddrysau caeedig, roeddwn i'n casáu'r hyn a welais yn y drych. Byddwn i'n gorwedd yn y gwely yn crio. Doedd fy nheulu fy hun ddim yn ei weld. Roeddwn i'n codi bob dydd, yn gwisgo crys a thei, ac yn gorfodi fy hun i fynd i'r gwaith.”
Cymerodd fwy na dwy ddegawd i Andrew siarad yn wirioneddol am ei brofiad. Daeth trobwynt pan olrheiniodd y llawfeddyg a achubodd ei fywyd. “Dywedodd, ‘Ti’n wyrth.’ Dim ond ar ôl hynny wnes i sylweddoli pa mor lwcus oeddwn i i fod yma. Gallwn naill ai dreulio gweddill fy oes yn flin neu ddefnyddio fy nhrawma i helpu eraill.”
Ers hynny, mae Andrew wedi dod yn eiriolwr angerddol dros siarad yn agored ac addysg iechyd meddwl. Er ei fod wedi derbyn hyfforddiant cymorth cyntaf traddodiadol, gan gynnwys defnyddio diffibrilwyr trwy rolau mewn diogelwch a rheolaeth, mae hefyd wedi dod i weld gwerth cymorth cyntaf iechyd meddwl.
“Doeddwn i ddim hyd yn oed yn gwybod bod cymorth cyntaf iechyd meddwl i'w gael,” meddai. “Ond mae’n gwneud synnwyr llwyr. Weithiau, mae angen rhywun ar bobl i eistedd gyda nhw, nid i’w trwsio. Maen nhw eisiau rhywun i wrando. Gall hynny ar ei ben ei hun achub bywydau.”
Mae Andrew yn credu’n gryf mewn profiad byw. “Dydw i ddim yn gwnselydd cymwys. Dw i’n dweud hynny wrth bobl ar unwaith. Ond dydyn nhw ddim yn poeni. Maen nhw’n dweud, ‘Dw i jyst eisiau siarad â rhywun sy’n deall.’ Dyna pam dw i’n meddwl bod hyfforddiant yn y maes hwn mor bwysig. Mae’n rhoi hyder i bobl helpu, hyd yn oed os mai’r cyfan maen nhw’n ei wneud yw gwrando.”
Mae hefyd yn gefnogwr cryf o St John Ambulance Cymru, sydd yn cynnig cyrsiau cymorth cyntaf iechyd meddwl ar agor i'r cyhoedd. “Nid yw iechyd meddwl yn gwahaniaethu,” meddai Andrew. “Does dim ots pwy ydych chi. Gall effeithio ar eich ffrindiau, eich teulu a'ch cydweithwyr. Pe bai rhywun agos ataf yn mynd trwy rywbeth, byddwn i eisiau gallu helpu a dweud y peth iawn.”
Ychwanegodd, “Mae pobl yn ofni dweud y peth anghywir. Ond mae hyfforddiant yn helpu gyda hynny. Rydych chi'n dysgu sut i weld arwyddion a sut i ymateb heb farnu. Byddwn i'n dweud wrth unrhyw un sy'n meddwl amdano: gwnewch y cwrs.”
Mae sgyrsiau Andrew bellach yn cyrraedd ysgolion, cynadleddau a chymunedau ledled Cymru. Ei nod yw torri'r distawrwydd a gedwir ers 25 mlynedd. “Rwyf am i bobl wybod nad yw agor eich calon yn eich gwneud chi'n wan,” meddai. “Rwyf am leihau cyfraddau hunanladdiad. Rwyf am i bobl ddeall nad yw galar yn digwydd dim ond pan fydd rhywun yn marw. Gallwch chi alaru am swydd, am gamp, am eich hen hunan. Dyna beth oeddwn i'n ei wneud.”
Mae'n gobeithio y bydd rhannu ei stori yn helpu eraill i gymryd camau yn gynt. "Cymerodd 24 mlynedd i mi dderbyn yr hyn a ddigwyddodd. Os gallaf arbed rhywun arall rhag aros mor hir â hynny, bydd yn werth chweil."
Mae stori Andrew yn ein hatgoffa nad yw cymorth cyntaf yn ymwneud â rhwymynnau a CPR yn unig. Mae’n ymwneud â chydnabod pan fydd rhywun yn cael trafferth a chael yr hyder i helpu. Fel y dywedodd, “Mae atal yn well na gwella. Does neb yn dod i'n hachub. Felly, mae angen i ni ofalu am ein hiechyd corfforol a meddyliol. Os gwnawn hynny, gallwn fod yno i eraill hefyd.”
Mae cwrs Cymorth Cyntaf Iechyd Meddwl St John Ambulance Cymru yn ddelfrydol i unrhyw un sydd eisiau cael dealltwriaeth ddyfnach o iechyd meddwl a datblygu'r sgiliau i gefnogi eu lles eu hunain a lles eraill yn y gweithle. P'un a ydych chi'n rheolwr, yn arweinydd tîm, yn weithiwr proffesiynol AD, neu'n angerddol am greu amgylchedd gwaith cefnogol, bydd yr hyfforddiant hwn yn eich arfogi â'r hyder i wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol.
Mae'r cwrs yn cynnwys profiad dysgu diddorol sy'n canolbwyntio ar senarios bywyd go iawn ac ymarferion ymarferol. Ar ôl cwblhau'r cwrs yn llwyddiannus, bydd cyfranogwyr yn derbyn tystysgrif cymhwysedd St John Ambulance Cymru, a byddant yn eu hardystio fel Cymorthwyr Cyntaf Iechyd Meddwl. I'r rhai sydd â diddordeb mewn cael Dyfarniad Lefel 3 mewn Cymorth Cyntaf Iechyd Meddwl, mae arholiad ffurfiol ar wahân, dan oruchwyliaeth, ar gael ar gais. I gael gwybod mwy, ewch i https://www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/courses/MHFA
Mae Just in Case: Stories from St John ar gael ar bob prif blatfform podlediadau, gan gynnwys Spotify ac Apple Podcasts, gyda phenodau newydd yn cael eu rhyddhau bob mis. Mae St John Ambulance Cymru yn darparu cymorth achub bywyd mewn digwyddiadau ledled Cymru ac yn cyflwyno hyfforddiant cymorth cyntaf i bobl o bob oed. I gymryd rhan, archebu hyfforddiant, neu gefnogi ei gwaith, ewch i www.sjacymru.org.uk.
I wrando ar Apple Podcasts ewch i: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-in-case-stories-from-st-john/id1830427277
I wrando ar Spotify ewch i: https://open.spotify.com/show/05SXgJnpuJ2oX176hzSAcq
