Italian school climate and culture: interventions to protect the well-being of LGBT+ students.

This article examines the Italian school climate and culture regarding the well-being of LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other non-heterosexual or non-cisgender) students under 25, highlighting the inadequacy of current school responses to homo-lesbo-bi-transphobic bullying and related mental health risks. It discusses international interventions such as Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policies, which foster inclusive, supportive environments that improve student health, academic outcomes, and school climate. The article emphasizes the need for Italy to adopt preventive, community-wide strategies involving school psychologists and educators to create safe spaces, implement inclusive policies, and promote awareness, moving beyond reactive therapeutic approaches. It concludes that integrating such interventions could serve as protective factors against discrimination and violence, enhancing the overall quality of life for LGBT+ youth in Italian schools.