A mother who saved a woman from jumping to her death has spoken of her own suicide attempts.

Police and firefighters were called to the parade of shops in Church Road, Basildon, after reports a woman was threatening to jump from the roof.

Before they managed to arrive on the scene a passer-by climbed onto the roof and grabbed hold of the woman.

Mother-of-three Karen Mountford-Farmer, 35, today told how she went to the woman's aid because she fully understood her desire to end it all.

Ms Mountford-Farmer, of Broom Farm Close, Basildon, has herself been a patient at Basildon Hospital's mental health unit.

She said: "I just want people to realise we should not be ignored. We need others to give us their time and support - people just accuse us of being mad.

"The woman on the roof was in a serious state - she was crying and shouting and trying to attack me - I understood as I have been there myself."

Ms Mountford-Farmer, was urged by police to hold onto the woman until firefighters could get the pair to safety.

She engaged in conversation with the woman to try to buy some time.

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