Research has shown that identifying mental health concerns among students and providing support to those students can have a positive impact on the students' lives, including emotionally, academically, and socially. Teachers are seen as the front-line workers for students and must be able to identify any mental health concerns. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions that teachers have of student mental health, to determine how comfortable teachers are when educating students who struggle with mental health concerns, and to determine factors that could increase teacher mental health literacy. This study was completed within a pragmatic paradigm and the researcher understands that there are multiple truths, and that the perception of teachers can differ considering their backgrounds and their own experiences. This study was completed using The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire, demographic survey, as well as semi-structured interviews. The surveys and questionnaires were provided to 63 staff members at a rural elementary school in Missouri. The sample size of this study was 24 participants, with follow up semi-structured interviews with five participants. The data gathered were organized and coded to answer the research questions and dive deeper into the understanding of whether elementary school teachers in a rural elementary school feel prepared and ready to teach students who struggle with mental health concerns in their classrooms. Teacher perception of student mental health was studied to determine how teachers are feeling currently, what steps can be taken to better prepare teachers and what resources are available and what is needed to assist in the future. The results of this study indicate that teachers are not prepared to assist students who struggle with mental health concerns. Teachers are craving more training and professional development, as well as more resources to best serve their students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]