SEATTLE — Chad Crooks is being remembered for all the qualities his family and friends loved about him, but it's not without also acknowledging things he struggled with.
After years of described "inner struggles," Chad for the first time shared that he had been hearing voices. He was 20 years old at the time.
Chad's parents, Todd and Laura, shared his story online. His parents said after losing Chad it became clear he decided that no matter the adjustments to medications and research he did himself - it appeared his battle would not improve.
"It's OK to talk about it," Laura said. "Chad had a hard time recognizing his mental illness."
Just before he turned 21 - while undergoing psychiatric care - he was admitted into the psychiatric unit at the University of Washington, plagued with depression and suicidal thoughts.
"Chad was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and went on medication in an attempt to quell the voices that plagued him day and night," according to Chad's Legacy Project. "The elevated urgency within his care plan brought optimism for improvement."
Todd and Laura said he waited through the holidays and past his siblings' January birthdays and in the early morning hours of Jan. 21, 2016, Chad chose to free himself of the disease.
After Chad died by suicide, Todd and Laura wanted to find new ways to get youth and educators the tools they need to battle mental illness.
For about seven years, Chad's Legacy Project has been making it possible for more mental health resources to be accessible.
Another part of the non-profit's mission is to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. The goal is for mental illness to be universally recognized as a disease instead of a weakness.
Unmask the Night
Everyone is invited to "unmask" the night of May 18 to show support for all who are battling mental illness.
The special night will include dinner, drinks, dancing, and masquerade attire, at the Hideaway Cellars in Seattle.
For ticket information, click here.
Mental Health Literacy Library
Chad's Legacy Project and the SMART Center at the University of Washington have jointly created a comprehensive library of existing national Mental Health Literacy curricula at www.mentalhealthinstruction.org. Phase I began with a focus on Mental Health Literacy.
The Mission of Chad’s Legacy Project:
Create an environment through education to eliminate stigma around mental illness.
Help to boost effectiveness of current treatment pathways through the advent of proactive care coordination and management.
Aid the efforts in psychiatric research and innovations.
Identify existing limited pockets of excellence and work to elevate them into broader systems of excellence