A NEW support service for carers of people with mental health problems has been launched in mid-Hampshire.

The ground-breaking scheme will offer people information and facts when the person they care for develops a psychotic illness for the first time.

The brainchild of two community psychiatric nurses from Romsey and Winchester, it will allow friends or relatives in a caring role to have vital information that usually takes weeks to get.

One of the nurses, Martin Aldred from Romsey, explained: "We call the scheme the First Episode Carers Service because we aim to help carers whose relatives become ill for the first time.

"We want to take away some of the fears carers may have about mental illness by explaining facts and dispelling myths."

The importance of such schemes is apparent as the World Health Organisation estimates that on average around one in four people will experience some form of mental health difficulty this year.

Initially the scheme will only be offered to carers of people under the age of 35 who have been admitted to Melbury Lodge in Winchester, but if the scheme is a success, NHS bosses hope it will expanded to other areas.