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28th Sep 2018

Student mental health awareness #GramFam campaign brings together top Instagram bloggers

Marc Mayo

Fashion, fitness and food bloggers get involved to help out the #GramFam

With thousands of young people rocking up on campus ahead of the new academic year, mental health awareness charities CALM and The Mix are hosting their latest Instazine to show struggling students that they’re not alone.

Starting university is one of the trickiest moments of any student’s life. You can turn up thinking you’re Gordon Ramsey, only to realise cheese on toast is the limits of your abilities. You may have even rolled out of school with straight As, only to find yourself stifled under a pile of books by the first reading week.

That’s why it’s important to have people to turn to when times get tough, and fortunately, there are experts out there to help.

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) have teamed up with crisis support service The Mix and a host of well-known bloggers, from fitness guru Grace Beverley to singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan, to discuss the real issues on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoORBP6Al9v/?hl=en&taken-by=calmzone

After a similar campaign for A-level exam results day, which saw The Mix experience a 160 per cent increase in calls asking for help, this latest #GramFam aims to assure those feeling vulnerable after leaving home.

Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “Leaving home for the first time and getting to grips with new surroundings and people, coupled with the hectic and often hedonistic Freshers Week, can be hard to navigate.

“That’s why we’ve worked with Instagram and The Mix to bring together a host of familiar faces to share messages of support for young people during what should be a positive and exciting time in their lives.”

Food blogger Ashleigh Ponder, poet Emily Rose, and gaming blogger Tacita French also lend their advice to students feeling anything other than fresh.

“Last year we saw a big increase in the number of students visiting The Mix who had struggled to find their feet in their first weeks,” added Chris Martin, CEO of The Mix. “With this latest issue of #GramFam, we want to make sure all students have access to all the advice and support they need before they start their courses.”

If you’re experiencing mental health problems, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) provides a free, confidential helpline (0800 58 58 58), and webchat open every day from 5pm – midnight.