Campus climate and sense of belonging explain the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health of LGBTQ+ college students

<b>Objective:</b> This study examined how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives shape school climate, belonging, and mental health among sexual minority (LGBTQ+) college students. <b>Participants:</b> 4,110 LGBTQ+ college students completed the "climate for diversity and inclusion" module of the Healthy Minds Survey. <b>Methods:</b> The study tested a model to determine whether the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health problems was accounted for by perceived school climate and belonging. <b>Results:</b> Structural equation modeling showed that DEI initiatives did not directly affect mental health after controlling for school climate and belonging. However, there was a significant serial mediation pathway, whereby greater exposure to DEI initiatives was associated with a more positive school climate, which was related to stronger feelings of belonging, which was linked to fewer mental health problems. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results underscore the critical role of DEI efforts in fostering supportive environments, which impact the psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ students.