Today we meet Wendell McCurdy

As we continue our Men’s Mental Health Week campaign, today we meet Wendell McCurdy, who shares his cancer journey and the support he has received. His story highlights the importance of having somewhere to turn during difficult times – a place to talk, be heard, and receive compassionate support.

“Cancer entered my life quietly at first a diagnosis spoken in calm medical tones that somehow shattered everything I thought I knew about my future. The treatment began quickly, and while I expected the physical side effects, I was unprepared for how deeply it would affect my mental health.

Sometimes the hardest battles are not always visible. Anxiety crept in during long nights when sleep would not come. Fear of recurrence, uncertainty about the future and the emotional weight of watching life continue around me while mine felt paused became overwhelming.

There were days when I felt disconnected from myself. I struggled with low mood, loss of confidence and a sense of isolation that even loving friends and family could not fully reach. Cancer treatment did not just challenge my physical strength; it challenged my identity, my resilience, and my hope. My world felt black and white – like the colour has disappeared.

During this time, Charis Cancer Care became a turning point in my journey. Walking through their doors for the first time, I did not feel like a patient, I felt like a person again. The support I received was invaluable. I was offered a safe space where my fears were heard without judgement and my emotions were validated. The counsellors and therapists understood that healing involves the mind as much as the body.

Through counselling sessions, relaxation therapies and simply having somewhere calm to go, I began to rebuild my mental wellbeing. Charis Cancer Care helped me to cope with anxiety, process grief for the life I temporarily lost and rediscover moments of peace. They reminded me that it was okay to struggle and that asking for support was a sign of strength, not weakness.

Most importantly, they helped me feel less alone. Meeting others who understood the emotional impact of cancer created a sense of community that lifted me during some of my darkest moments. I found hope again, not the hope that everything would return to how it was before, but a new hope rooted in acceptance, resilience and self-compassion.

Cancer changed me in ways I never expected. It tested my mental health as much as my physical endurance. Yet, with the support of Charis Cancer Care, I learned that recovery is not only about surviving illness but also about healing emotionally and learning to live fully again.

Today I carry both scars and strength. My experience taught me the importance of mental health support during cancer treatment, and I remain deeply grateful to all at Charis Cancer Care for the kindness, understanding and care that helped guide me back toward myself.”

Please remember support is available. If you or someone you know is struggling, please get in touch with us at chariscancercare.org or call 028 8676 9217. We are here to help.