"All students grow up seeing this space, so to use it to spread positivity would hopefully begin to change the heart-breaking statistics New Zealand has with youth suicide," Hamlin said.
The duo are now working with mental health professionals on the best messages to display on the back of the exercise books.
"We have started playing with a few designs to tell a story in a fun and interactive way while spreading important messages.
"We aim to finish a few mock-ups in the next few weeks and start the conversation with book manufacturers about how we can work together."
They want to shape the attitude around studying and the pressure that students put on themselves.
"We really hope to remove the stigma around talking about mental health and offer kids the tools they need to better deal with their mental health or to help friends and family members who may have problems."
The idea came in August, when the two students attended a University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bangkok, with the theme "Inspiring Confidence, Inspire Change".
"There were over 1000 students from 87 countries. It was incredibly inspiring, particularly hearing from some great leaders talking about how everyone has the power to change things."
Hamlin and Isaac would ultimately like to see the suicide rate become zero in New Zealand.
"We dream of a society where everyone can communicate about what's going on in their minds and reach out when they have a problem.
"When you see someone with a broken arm, everyone comes running to sign their cast and offer assistance to help them get better," Hamlin says.
"When someone says they are going through mental health problems, a lot of people run away. We want to change this and see the brain being treated like any other part of your body."
