The impact of political climate on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ college students

<b>Objective:</b> Examine the impact of political climate on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ college students, focusing on the relationship between political conservatism, depression, anxiety, and suicidality. <b>Participants:</b> Data were sourced from the 2023-2024 Healthy Minds Study (HMS), analyzing responses from 69,516 college students aged 18-25, of whom 30.5% identified as LGBTQIA+. <b>Methods:</b> Mental health outcomes were measured using the PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety. Suicidality was measured using three Likert-scaled questions. A political climate variable was created based on gubernatorial, senatorial, and presidential electoral outcomes. Hierarchical regression examined relationships between political conservatism and LGBTQIA+ mental health outcomes. <b>Results:</b> LGBTQIA+ students in conservative states exhibited significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Political climate moderated the relationship between LGBTQIA+ status and depression. <b>Conclusions:</b> Political climate plays a critical role in LGBTQIA+ students' well-being. Institutions should implement inclusive policies to mitigate adverse mental health effects.