Leading Minds Webinar Series
Leading Minds Webinar Series - 2025
Virtual conversations to help live, learn, and lead in the real world
Unpacking the Backpack Revisited:
Trends, Research & the Future of School-Based Supports for Student Mental Health
Aired Live: Thursday, May 29, at 3:00 PM ET
Presented by: Dr. Byron McClure

Dr. Byron McClure
Across the country, school leaders are facing an unprecedented student mental health crisis—one marked by rising anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and behavioral concerns. This timely and essential webinar will explore the evolving landscape of student mental health, equipping education leaders with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to create safer, more supportive learning environments.
Join Dr. Byron McClure, a school psychologist and founder of Lessons for SEL, as we examine national trends and data revealing alarming increases in youth mental health concerns, alongside the stark reality that most students in need still go unsupported. This important session will:
- Unpack the research foundations behind effective mental health programs in schools, including evidence-based approaches such as mindset-based learning, trauma-informed practices, and targeted mental health interventions.
- Emphasize how school-based solutions are transforming outcomes through positive mindset development and personalized support.
- Provide a deeper understanding of how mental health curricula—backed by clinical and educational research—drive improved behavior, engagement, and academic performance.
This is a must-attend for school and district leaders, school counselors, and anyone committed to creating lasting, meaningful change in the lives of their students.
About the Presenters: Dr. Byron McClure is currently the Director of Innovation at 7 Mindsets and Founder of Lessons For SEL, where he uses research, human-centered design thinking to build empathy, ideate, co-create solutions, and design equitable resources that put the needs of children front and center. He formerly served as the Assistant Director of School Redesign at a high school in Southeast, Washington D.C., where he was responsible for leading and reimagining what social emotional learning looked like within an inner-city community.