A former carer is urging students suffering from mental health issues not to be afraid of seeking help.

Valerie Oladeinde, a public relations student at Westminster University’s Harrow campus, believes her experience of caring for family members with mental health issues will enable her to help people across Harrow and the UK.

While living in Rayners Lane, the 24-year-old acted as a carer for her mother for around seven years before seeking professional help.

She said: “I took care of her because we were scared to get help, we didn't know what it was and my family knew very little about mental health issues.

“We were by ourselves for several years until then, and from then on it has been a battle for us trying to understand it.

“I can’t allow this to happen to anyone else. It happened to me at such a young age that I feel like I’ve lost a part of my childhood, and I don’t want anyone else to feel they are too afraid to ask for help.”

Alongside her studies, Valerie is currently working with the university's student union on a phoneline advice programme for people suffering from mental health issues, helping callers to overcome their fear of getting help.

She said: “I am there as a shoulder to cry on. It is so much harder to talk to someone who has no idea, and I know how hard it can be so I would like others to be able to have a better understanding of mental health.

“There is always someone out there who is feeling the same as you and all you have to do is ask for help.

“Asking for help and getting help from the union or the university service is a big step to a long path of self acceptance, being able to just accept who you are and get the help that you need.”

Miss Oladeinde added that she would like to encourage any student who feels they need help to contact the phone line for non-judgemental and confidential advice and support.

After finishing her degree, she hopes to set up her own national charity to tackle the stigma of mental health illnesses - particularly among students - and provide support to sufferers.