A singer songwriter is releasing a new song to raise awareness about mental health.

Dorchester-based Nina Garcia says she hopes people feel 'comfort and love' when they listen to 'It's OK To Not Be OK.'

The single will be released on January 29 and Nina says its message is that 'it's important to talk about how you feel when you're struggling.'

She said: “I’m really looking forward to the release of It’s OK To Not Be OK. I hope that people feel some comfort and love when they listen to it.

"If it instigates conversation and helps even just one person to speak out about how they feel, then that will be wonderful."

Nina describes the track as 'a song of our time as people around the world struggle to navigate their lives through the pandemic.'

'It's OK To Not Be OK' is arranged by Roger Ryan, Nashville-based Grammy and Dove nominated, Juno award winning producer (Whitney Houston, Wynonna Judd, CeCe Winans).

Nina, who has been performing since the age of nine in her family's folk rock band The Sydling Stompers, said: "I wrote ‘It’s OK To Not Be OK’ to raise awareness and understanding about mental health.

"Having lost friends to suicide, having a little boy on the autism spectrum and being aware of the struggles that my loved ones face daily, I wrote this song to offer love and support. It’s very close to my heart.”

By the time Nina had turned 14, she had been featured on BBC Radio 2’s ‘Folk on 2’, had performed at London’s legendary music venue, The Mean Fiddler, and was a favourite at the Green Room Club in the West End.

Nina went on to form Celtic rock band Jigsaw alongside her brother, well known Dorset-based fiddle player Benny Wain. She toured the UK extensively, often performing six nights a week. She composed original material for the group, who have supported Shane MacGowan and the Popes.

Nina embarked upon a solo career as Nina Garcia. She has performed at Hampton Court, for our Royal family and recently in Nashville, Alabama, Amarillo and Wellington, South Africa.

US production company Walk on Part Productions recently commissioned Nina to write songs for new musical ‘Tolpuddle', casting her as leading lady “Betsy Loveless”.

‘Tolpuddle’ was to premiere in Montgomery, Alabama in 2020 but due to Covid has had to be temporarily postponed. Nina is currently co-writing and recording a project with Roger Ryan, which will be released later this year.

‘It’s OK To Not Be OK’ will be available from January 29, 2021 to steam or download on every platform worldwide. See ninagarcia.co.uk for more information.