The parents of a young firefighter and mixed martial artist who took his own life are speaking out about mental health.
Lisa and Matthew Glode say time in the ring help their son, Cody, fight his biggest battle of all.
“He didn't want people to know,” said Lisa Glode. “He kept saying to me, ‘Mom, I'm going crazy.’”
Cody Glode lived with depression since he was about 13 years old.
“To me, we’re not doing enough,” said Matthew Glode. “It's great that people are starting to talk about mental illness, but talk is cheap.”
Glode’s parents say the 20-year-old took his life because he didn’t get the help he needed.
“They had listened to him, but then there was no follow-up, then there was just a big gap,” said Lisa Glode.
Cody Glode's parents say fighting created an outlet for him, but now they're waging their own fight – a fight against the healthcare system to create change for those living with mental illness.
“I just think that there was a lot of little steps missed,” said Matthew Glode. “I think what happens is people get lost in the cracks, and unfortunately Coady was one of them.”
The young man's mother and sister have also experienced depression.
“I've always been really open with my battle with depression and very open with my children,” said Lisa Glode.
They say his fellow firefighters and the MMA community would have accepted his illness.
“I think the stigma that he had in his mind that he had of mental health is what held them back from coming out and telling people,” said Matthew Glode.
They only hope their pain will reach others.
“If we can get the word out to one person and they can reach out and get the help they need in a timely manner, then you know what? His death hasn't been in vain,” said Matthew Glode.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.
