The nonprofit organization Chad’s Legacy will hold a major fundraiser called “Unmasking the Night” on May 18th at Hideaway Cellars in Seattle.
Seattle – Chad Crooks is remembered His family and friends loved all of his qualities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t acknowledge his struggles as well.
After years of describing his “inner conflict,” Chad confessed for the first time that he was hearing voices. He was 20 years old at the time.
Chad’s parents, Todd and Laura, shared Chad’s story online. His parents said it became clear after losing Chad that they decided that no matter how much they adjusted his medications and studies on their own, his struggles didn’t seem to improve.
“It’s okay to talk about it,” Laura said. “Chad had a hard time recognizing his mental illness.”
Just before he turned 21, he was undergoing psychiatric treatment, suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts, and was admitted to the University of Washington’s psychiatric ward.
According to Chad’s Legacy Project, “Chad was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was put on medication to calm the voices that plagued him day and night.” “The increased urgency in his care plan provides optimism for improvement.”
Todd and Laura said Chad chose to wait until after his siblings’ January birthdays to be free of the disease in the early morning hours of January 21, 2016, during the holidays.
After Chad died by suicide, Todd and Laura wanted to find a new way to provide youth and educators with the tools they need to combat mental illness.
For about 7 years, Chad Legacy Project You now have access to more mental health resources.
Another part of the nonprofit’s mission is to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. The goal is for mental illness to be widely recognized as an illness rather than a weakness.
Everyone is invited to “unmask” on the evening of May 18 to show support for all those battling mental illness.
The special evening includes dinner, drinks, dancing, and masquerade costumes at Hideaway Cellars in Seattle.
For ticket information, click here.
Mental Health Literacy Library
The Chad Legacy Project and the SMART Center at the University of Washington have collaborated to create a comprehensive library of existing national mental health literacy curricula. www.mentalhealthinstruction.org. Phase I began with a focus on mental health literacy.
Chad Legacy Project Mission:
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Let’s create an environment that eliminates the stigma of mental illness through education.
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Through the emergence of proactive care coordination and management, it will help increase the effectiveness of current treatment pathways.
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Supporting psychiatric research and innovation efforts.
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Identify existing limited areas of excellence and strive to elevate them into a broader system of excellence
