A singer-songwriter from Southampton has launched her debut EP to raise awareness of mental health issues.

After battling with anxiety for a number of years, 29 year old Lauren Highley has found that music and song writing can help her to manage her condition. The self-penned EP 'Live Again' which debuted at a launch event at the Frog & Frigate last month is a poignant journey which tells the real story of what it's like to live with anxiety. With 15% of the UK population affected by the condition, Lauren felt that she needed to do something to explain what anxiety is, and that talking about it shouldn't be a taboo subject. The launch event attracted a number of other anxiety suffers from all over Hampshire and helped raise money for national charity Anxiety UK with the sale of hard copy EP's and a raffle. The event also featured other local performers alongside Lauren's very own live band.

Lauren said, "The crowd reaction was fantastic. A lot of people attended as the night was raising money for Anxiety UK. But they also wanted to hear my story. Since the launch I've had lots of positive feedback from people saying that they can relate to the lyrics. It's a really nice feeling knowing that my music can help other people, in a similar situation to myself".

Lauren has been working with The Famous Company to create artist branding and release her EP. With Famous she is now planning the release of a lyric video on Vevo to promote her EP which is available on iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music. A spokesperson for The Famous Company said, "Lauren is a hard working singer-songwriter who writes from the heart. Her songs really make you stop and think about what is happening around you. We are proud that she partnered with a national charity to help raise not much needed funds and raise also awareness of such an important issue."

Lauren has a number of performances lined up in London including 'PopRevue' which is one of the industry's most respected showcase events for new artists launching in the music industry.

For more information about Lauren and to follow her journey visit www.facebook.com/laurenjhighley.