Instagram launches Insta-zine to help students deal with exam stress

Use of the hashtag #examstress increased by 640 per cent on Instagram between March and May 2018

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Instagram has launched a digital magazine that will provide students with advice and mental health support during exam season.

The social media platform has created the publication, which is called #GramFam, with The Mix – a crisis support service for young people – and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – a charity campaigning to bring the suicide rate down among young men.

The online magazine will feature input and advice from a number of celebrities and influencers including Jameela Jamil, Gina Martin, Loyle Carner and Love Island's Dr Alex George.

The organisations decided to create #GramFam after Instagram found that use of the hashtag #examstress on the platform had risen 640 per cent between March and May 2018.

The Mix also revealed it had seen use of its service increase among young people by 114 per cent during this time last year.

“Year on year we see more young people struggling with stress during exam season, which is why our partnership with Instagram, Calm and all the fantastic contributors to #GramFam is so relevant,” said Chris Martin, chief executive of The Mix.

“This issue of the Instazine will reach far and wide with tips from new supporters such as Jameela Jamil and KissFM's Tom Green, enabling us to support anyone struggling under the pressure of exams as well as letting them know that The Mix is there for them whatever life throws their way.”

CALM boss Simon Gunning added: “We're delighted to bring our #GramFam campaign with The Mix and Instagram to life with this #GramFam Live event, centred around supporting young people through the difficult revision and exam period.

“The reaction to this campaign has been great, both from our audience and from the people who have taken part so far such as Dr Alex, Lewis Capaldi, DJ Neev, MOB Kitchen and Calm ambassadors Romesh Ranganathan and Loyle Carner.

“We're looking forward to #GramFam Live delivering entertaining and funny content with an important message underpinned throughout.”

In 2018, the Department for Education’s former mental health advisor reported that academic anxiety was a greater source of stress for teenagers than concerns about body image.

Natasha Devon said she had seen a rise in secondary school students asking for help to cope with “academic anxiety” over the past two years.

“It does feel like there is more pressure on students and they feel they have to be more competitive with each other,” Devon previously told The Independent.

“Academic anxiety has now replaced body image worries as the number one reason pupils give for feelings of panic and distress."

If you’re under 25 and need help, you can call The Mix’s helpline for free on 0808 808 4994. You can also speak to one of their trained helpline supporters on their one to one chat service or text THEMIX to 85258.