A MAN who has battled depression and other mental health conditions told how running is helping him to turn his life around.

Shaun Vos, 32, from Westcliff, has been suffering with mental health problems for several years.

He started running to improve his wellbeing and lose weight, and has since completed a 10k fun run.

Shaun, who grew up on Canvey and studied computer science at the University of Essex, said: “I have been struggling with mental health problems for more than ten years but I have been managing better in recent times.

“I have never been sectioned, do not have a criminal record but have been in hospital voluntarily.

“I volunteered to be given 12 rounds of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) during the summer of 2015 to treat a severe depressive episode of my illness which helped.

“As a result of my mental health condition and medication I weighed 17st 6lbs in March 2016.

“I began working on my physical health by running in March 2016 and by September 2016 I weighed 12st - a loss of 5st 7lbs.”

Shaun was thrilled with the result exercise and is now regularly taking part in runs to raise money for various charities.

Shaun, who works part time at Sainsbury’s, in London Road, Southend, completed the London Cancer Research Winter Run in February and the London Vitality 10,000 in May.

He is now looking to tackle the Southend Half Marathon in support of Rethink Mental Illness, based in Southend. He has raised almost £100 so far - but is hopeful more donations will come in.

The half marathon is taking place on Sunday, July 9 on East Beach, in Shoebury.

Shaun added: “There is so much stigma for mental illness, having experience of it myself and many others I have met.

“We need people with mental health problems to get more support and we need more awareness so people get support from others.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Shaun-Vos-Summer-Running-2017

Shaun is also looking to set up a peer support group of the Rethink Mental Illness Charity in Southend to help others with mental health problems.