Charisse Beach
Charisse Beach, M.Ed., is an alumna of Bradley University (undergraduate) and Governors State University (graduate). She began delivering professional development during her tenure as principal of Premier Academy in Joliet, IL, a Regional Safe School for middle and high school students. Under her leadership, 83% of students successfully transitioned back to their home schools with grade-level or above credits. This achievement marked a major milestone in her career and fueled her passion for empowering educators, parents, and students through innovative programs and strategies.
Driven to share her personal and professional experiences working with at-risk youth, Charisse authored At-Risk Students: Transforming Student Behavior. At Risk Students details the warning signs of disturbing behaviors, which are often overlooked by educators and/or misdiagnosed by mental health professionals. Following the success of her book, Charisse and her youngest son, Oliver, co-developed the Mental Health Intervention (MHI) App to support individuals facing mental health challenges and the professionals who assist them. Their journey began with a deeply personal and life-changing experience that led to a powerful solution for families.
In 2007, Oliver, then 19, attacked Charisse during a severe psychotic episode. Four years earlier, doctors had diagnosed him with Bipolar Disorder. By his late teens, he struggled with extreme mood swings. Recognizing his need for help, he requested a mental health evaluation and spent a week in the hospital.
After his release, doctors prescribed psychotropic medication and warned him not to stop taking it without supervision. Like many patients, Oliver found the side effects unbearable and quit on his own. Two months later, without medical guidance, he suffered a psychotic episode that escalated into violence.
Charisse fully recovered, and Oliver responded well to treatment. Today, he thrives without psychotropic medication. His journey proves that with the right support and personalized care, individuals with mental health conditions can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
As the visionary behind Youth Transformation Services (YTS), Charisse remains committed to equipping youth with emotional wellness tools and interactive learning experiences. Over the past year, YTS has launched several key initiatives:
- Game Development Internship for students pursuing careers in game design
- Podcast series on game-based learning solutions
- Jump Anywhere in the World (JAW) – a highly anticipated educational video game launching in summer 2025
With a passion for mental wellness, education, and technology-driven learning, Charisse continues developing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between academic success and emotional well-being.
