MindBeat Podcast

EP 37: Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, joins Laine and Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District to explore the evolving role of media in shaping mental health, common misconceptions about screen use, and practical ways families and schools can support healthy development in a digital age.
Hosted By:
Laine Whitaker

December 22, 2025

42 min

Voices of ESS

Cortnee, Megan, & Jalen

EP 17: School-based Clinicians Weigh in on the Youth Mental Health Crisis

Image of Mindbeat with 4 people

EP 15: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Early Learners

Image of Mindbeat with 3 people

EP 14: Summer Planning for Student Mental Health

All Episodes

Dr. Jenny Radesky Final
May 7, 2025
29 MIN

EP 34: Rewiring Childhood: The Impact of Tech & Media on Young Minds

In this episode, Dr. Jenny Radesky from the University of Michigan Medical School joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the impact of technology and social media on youth mental health. She shares recommendations about how educators can navigate the digital ecosystem with students and offers advice for families and caregivers to help students have healthy relationships with digital media.
dr daniel eisenberg
March 18, 2025
29 MIN

EP 33: The ROI of Mental Health: Investing in the Well-Being of Our Youth

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management at UCLA, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss his research on adolescent and young adult mental health. He explores findings from the Healthy Minds study and highlights the importance of systemic solutions, including multi-systemic therapy (MST), and discusses the economic benefits of investing in mental health, from improved graduation rates to higher lifetime earnings.
Certified wellness coaches
February 19, 2025
29 MIN

EP: 32 Creating Youth Mental Health Innovation at a Statewide Level

In this episode, Dr. Sharmil Shah joins Duncan and Laine to discuss where she sees the biggest opportunities for improvement in school-based mental health initiatives over the next 5-10 years, the role of Certified Wellness Coaches, and what the state of California is doing to fund sustainability for school-based mental health initiatives.
wave

Learn more about Funding Sustainable School-Based Mental Health Programs

Complete this form to schedule a free mental health planning session where we will discuss available financial sources you can leverage to fund school-based mental health programs in your district.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Please read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use before submitting this form.

Our Unwavering Focus on Data Collection

At ESS, we have an unrelenting focus on data, measuring results, and communicating to our partners the proven impact our programming has on mental health, school outcomes and financial sustainability.

With every ESS partner, we will:

• Set data driven goals at the beginning of every implementation

• Have regular “Report Card” meetings in which we share the impact of ESS services

• Monitor data along the way to look for potential risk areas so that these can be proactively addressed

Learn more about our Will to Wellness 6 Step Framework

Complete this form to discuss best practices for districts, states, and federal policymakers that will reinvent mental health in schools over the next five years.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Please read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use before submitting this form.

Speak with our experts to learn how your district can improve outcomes and reduce costs

Complete this form to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your needs and challenges and to provide insights on where you may be able to improve mental health support.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Please read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use before submitting this form.

Let's Discuss the Mental Health Needs of Your Students

Fill out the form to request a meeting with one of our clinical experts to explore ways we can partner to strengthen your mental health programs.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Please read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use before submitting this form.

effective school solutions logo
Privacy Overview

For more information about exercising privacy and data protection rights, please refer to our Privacy Policy or you may contact ESS at privacy@effectiveschoolsolutions.com.