SASKATOON Cody Demerais says talking about his past experiences has helped improve his mental health. He’s been vocal about his struggles with mental health and shares his personal journey with youth at schools and various speaking engagements to encourage others to seek out counselling and other supports they need to live better lives. He says he lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He talks about his past which includes a bad car accident, addictions and says when he was 18-years-old he tried to take his own life. “I definitely believe when you carry something traumatic, like a situation that happened in your life that was very upsetting and very disturbing, and if you keep it to yourself, it holds the power over you, a power that is stronger than you know,” Demerais says.