One of Tanya Hammond’s earliest memories of her mother’s mental illness was as a four year-old trying to wake her up after she’d taken an overdose.

Tanya, now Chair of the Carer Council and a part-time carer peer supporter with Hertfordshire mental health trust, said it's vital mental health services identify carers of existing service users and ensure they are aware of their rights.

Tanya, who lives in Watford, said: "There are a small army of carers out their risking their own long-term physical and mental health with little or no support.

"Carers save the NHS millions a year but no-one is thinking of what happens if the carer falls ill.

"I know what people are going through and can use that experience to make things a little easier."

Tanya continued: "My mother wasn’t diagnosed as bi-polar until she was 40 and even then it was an acupuncturist who alerted us to the possibility, not a GP.

"I remember walking the streets in tears not wanting to go home because I was such a nervous wreck.

"My mother is a real fighter and an awesome woman but it’s been tough over the years. She was always looking at ways of improving her condition through things like diet and alternative therapies and fought to hold onto us, despite her problems."

It wasn’t until her mother suffered a stroke and her care needs increased that Tanya was recognised as a carer.

She said the new Care Act is a step in the right direction by recognising the important role carers have to play to both supporting and aiding the recovery of loved ones.

If you are a carer and need advice and support go to carersinherts.org.uk, ring 01992 586969 or email contact@carersinherts.org.uk