SARAH Jay believes that depression can be conquered.

She's 42 and has been suffering with it for about eight years but admits she had bouts in her years at university.

She was forced to end her career in the police after 16 years serving as a Sergeant but she is now helping others in her community as she's now a certified depression therapist.

At her her home in Thorpe, which she shares with her 12-year-old daughter and her two dogs Betsy and Daisy, she tells me about her battle with mental-health over the years.

"I've had depression for around eight or nine years but I think I did at university too, lots of students do," she explains.

"At the time I was separated from my ex-husband and I was struggling as a single mum trying to working, doing shift work in the police and it was difficult to get child care for my three-year-old daughter.

"I really struggled with that."

Along with suffering with depression Sarah also had PTSD during her time with the force and became the victim of domestic violence as her ex-boyfriend was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, after he strangled her when she declared their relationship was over.

But determined to fight back, over the past year Sarah has been leaning of scientifically proved methods and strategies that.

She is now trained in counselling, life-coaching and cognitive behavioural therapy and has set up her new venture as the The Depression Coach where she offers one-to-one sessions and workshops to people in Colchester, Clacton and Chelmsford.

Sarah believes that sometimes face-to-face sessions are too intimidating for those suffering with depression and often speaks to her clients over Skype.

"That means that my clients don't even need to get out of bed," Sarah explains.

"I've been there and I know what it's like to feel like that.

"This information and help should be out there for everyone to be a part of and he people that I have helped have said so many lovely things.

Sarah has taken anti-depressants for about ten years and bravely admits that she has considered suicide in the past.

"I don't feel how I felt eight-to-ten years ago, I just feel really lucky that I have access to all this information.

"Depression does continue for me day to day, but I do things in my lifestyle to keep it at bay.

"For me it's all about self care and I want to look after myself. "I want to keep my depression at bay and I do that by keeping myself active.

"I do little things like making sure I have a sun lamp in the winter and making sure I'm getting out there and seeing people face to face.

"When I have a bad day it's nowhere near anything it used to be - but I want to help support others.

"But I've always wanted to help other women

"I was putting advice out there for people and I've also wanted to help people who were suffering from domestic abuse.

"People are out there suffering."

Talking about dealing with her depression and her advice to others, Sarah says.

"Speak to people, ask friends and family and for help.

"Don't lock yourself away, and you should go to your GP for help.

"If you think one of your friends is low, just being there saying 'I'm just checking you're okay' will really mean a lot to them."

Sarah offers a wide variety of services from her home and online.

If you would like to access her services or access her blog which offers advice then you can go to her website at TheDepressionCoach.co.uk contact her at Sarah@TheDepressionCoach.co.uk