AUTHOR=Casella Julianna Nicole , Goodwin Aijah K. , Scardamalia Kristin , Bekele Yourdanos , Schaeffer Cindy M. 
  
TITLE=School Resource Officers’ perceptions of and responses to student mental health concerns: a qualitative study
  
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Education
  
VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1716664
  
DOI=10.3389/feduc.2026.1716664
  
ISSN=2504-284X
  
ABSTRACT=IntroductionSchool Resource Officers (SROs) are expected to serve as informal counselors for students; however, little research examines SROs’ practices in this role. This study investigates SROs’ views of their ability to support and intervene in school mental health concerns.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with seven SROs from one school district to assess perceptions of their roles and daily activities.ResultsThematic analysis revealed five themes related to SROs confidence, training, identification and support of student mental health concerns, and collaboration with other school professionals. Results showed SROs often rely on their police training and skills, rather than evidence-based practices when responding to students’ mental health concerns.DiscussionThese results highlight the need for more mental health training for SROs and involvement of other behavioral health professionals to support the needs of students.