The symptoms of depression and anxiety show a growing trend among college students, bringing serious negative effects on individuals and society. To explore the positive role of ideological and political education in relieving the symptoms of depression and anxiety in students.

Select students from the same university as the research subjects and randomly assigned as observation group and control group. The experimental group added ideological and political education to the English course, while the control group only taught the regular English course. The study period was one semester, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) measurements were conducted once a week, and students’ psychological test results were analyzed using SPSS23.0.

After the intervention, the anxiety and depression symptoms scores were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). At the same time, the mental health level of the students in the experimental group has improved significantly (P<0.05), showing a more positive attitude and better emotional control ability.

The integration of ideological and political education in college English courses has a positive effect on alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Combining ideological and political education with subject teaching is helpful to improve students’ mental health levels and help them better cope with psychological pressure. Therefore, college education departments should actively promote and implement this teaching mode to promote all-round development and mental health.

Shanxi Provincial Education Department (No. J20220142).