What mental health looks like in college

Photo by Haley Cowan

Understanding mental health goes beyond labels or diagnoses; it is something that affects everyone daily. In a recent episode of Ke Alakaʻi: The Podcast, BYU–Hawaii Counseling Services counselor Kaeokalei Alo and student leader Kalela Stone unpack what mental health actually looks like in college life, offering a clearer and more practical way to think about it.

How mental health is defined

Alo simplified mental health into something more accessible: control. "Mental health is all about control … over our thoughts and our behaviors,” existing on a spectrum rather than a fixed state. On one end is mental wellness—having strong control—while on the other is mental illness, where that control is limited or absent.

Rather than being a static condition, Alo said mental health shifts daily. He said that “every day we wake up, all of us are somewhere along the scale,” meaning students may feel balanced one day and overwhelmed the next, depending on habits and circumstances. According to Alo, one of the biggest factors influencing this movement is repetition.

Alo identified four key areas shaping mental health: sleep, nutrition, exercise and relationships. Stone reinforced this by referencing the “bio-psychosocial model,” emphasizing that physical, mental and social factors are interconnected. She explained “if you’re missing out on one of them, there’s a high chance that it’s going to start affecting the other areas,” making these four areas a practical way for students to evaluate their well-being.

The role of community and Hope Squad

While individual habits matter, both speakers emphasize that mental health is not meant to be managed alone. Stone highlighted the role of Hope Squad, a campus-based suicide prevention program that focuses on building a culture of support among students.

Rather than training students to act as therapists, Hope Squad teaches them to be attentive friends: recognizing warning signs, initiating conversations and connecting peers to resources. The goal is to normalize checking in on others in simple, genuine ways, she said.

Alo shared many students struggle in silence because mental health challenges are often invisible. Contrasting to physical injuries, he said they are not easily recognized, which can lead individuals to try to handle everything on their own. However, he stressed support is available and accessible, including free counseling services for students.

Both speakers challenge the misconception that counseling is only for severe cases. Instead, they framed it as a proactive resource—similar to a routine health check. Alo said students do not need to be in crisis to seek help; they can also use these services to better understand their mental health and prevent future challenges.

Student Questions:

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  Q: Why is it so hard to stay motivated?

  Alo said motivation is often unreliable and suggested students should focus on building routines instead.

  Alo introduced the acronym HALT, which stands for hungry, angry, lonely or tired, and said students should address these basic needs before expecting motivation. " Oftentimes, we think we need motivation, but what we really need is momentum because to get something started is probably the hardest part.

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  Q: How do you deal with imposter syndrome?

  Alo said imposter syndrome is quite common in  high-performing spaces, like college, Alo said. " It exists when people have high standards, and they feel like they're not meeting it. But we want to normalize that we're growing into this new space and we are work in progress."

  Alo said adopting a growth mindset helps individuals see challenges as part of development.
  Stone encouraged students to focus on improvement rather than perfection.

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  Q: Can someone struggle mentally while still functioning well?

  Alo said individuals can continue attending classes or work while experiencing internal challenges. He then emphasized the importance of regular check-ins, both personally and through conversations with others.

  Alo said mental health applies to everyone and said students benefit from treating it with the same attention as physical health. Stone said building community and supporting others are key steps in maintaining mental well-being.

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  Q: How can students recognize poor mental health in themselves or others?

  Alo referred back to the main four areas impacting mental health: sleep, nutrition, exercise and relationship.

  Alo also said relationships can be a strong indicator and explained that healthy relationships should be  reciprocal, involve both giving and receiving. He said imbalance in relationships may signal a need for adjustment, though it does not necessarily mean the relationship should end.