Intersecting identities and campus well-being: Mental health, substance use, and service barriers among racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minoritized university students

Sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) and racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) and university students face unique minority stressors that increase risk of mental health problems and substance use. Yet, little research examines how intersecting identities influence barriers to accessing campus services. We investigated associations between these identities - including their intersections - and mental health, substance use, and obstacles to utilizing campus-based services. We conducted an online survey with 1,009 undergraduate students (Mage= 20.6, SD = 5.1) at a Canadian university about mental health symptoms and substance use, as well as experiences with and barriers to accessing campus mental health and substance use services. Regression analyses revealed few differences in mental health severity and barriers to accessing campus services between most REM subgroups and white students. Most REM subgroups reported lower rates of substance use, greater awareness of campus services, and found services more helpful relative to white students. Sexually minoritized students reported greater severity of mental health symptoms and more barriers to accessing campus services relative to heterosexual students. Interactions between SGM and REM identities did not correspond with differing outcomes. Our findings highlight the need for tailored campus services that address unique challenges faced by diverse minoritized student populations.