Seattle couple honors son’s memory by helping youth battling mental illness [Video]

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 …