A WOMAN from Brighton Hill has launched a new fashion brand with a firm focus on promoting conversations around mental health.

Lauren Stevens has realised an idea that she had last year in taking her fashion expertise and creating a brand to send an important message to people dealing with mental health issues - that they are not alone.

The clothing line, called Yana, is an acronym standing for ‘You Are Not Alone’, and the designs, which feature empowering phrases such as ‘it’ s okay to not be oaky’ and ‘you are enough’ on garments such as T-shirts and bags.

The brand launched in January of this year, after Lauren’s Instagram account of the same name looked to create a positive mental health community online.

The 28-year-old said: “I wanted to support others to feel less alone with their mental health illnesses. My anxiety has always caused me to doubt my myself but after having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I went from an ‘I can’t’ mind-set to ‘why not give it a go?’”

Lauren is Basingstoke born and bred, discovering her love of fashion at what was then Brighton Hill Secondary School, before moving on to hone her skills at Basingstoke College of Technology, with a degree at Southampton Solent University to follow.

The idea behind the uplifting messages came from Lauren’s own experience with mental health, having both depression and anxiety for around 13 years.

Lauren added: “During a low time with my depression, when I was travelling to work in central London, I was looking for uplifting messages and the idea started from there.”

Lauren also made the decision to donate 10 per cent of each sale of Yana products goes to mental health charity Mind, which has helped Lauren in the past.

Lauren said: “Mind has been a source of support when I needed it, and I wanted to do something to raise awareness and support the incredible work they do.

“It is great to see my idea of supporting others an encouraging conversations around mental health coming to life.”

To view the products and for more information, go to yana.org.uk. The brand’s social media presence has the same name, @yana.org.uk.