SEAN Long has told a Sunday newspaper he tried to take his own life in January after a two-and-a-half year battle with depression.

In an interview with the Sunday People's rugby league writer Gareth Walker, the former Saints star spoke about a suicide attempt at his home in Wigan on January 2.

The father-of-three, who is now on the mend, is being looked after by his mum Pamela and brother Karl.

The three-time Lance Todd trophy winner has struggled to come to terms with his career being ended by injury, suffered the break up of his marriage, and parted ways with a number of clubs he has held coaching roles with.

Long, 37, told the Sunday People: “I’d just had enough. I’d lost a lot of weight, wasn’t sleeping right, and with everything going on I was trying to juggle too many plates.

"It all came crashing down.

“I just felt like I’d had enough. I didn’t know I was ill. I needed help."

Long, who recently left a coaching role at London Broncos, has praised former Saints team-mates Martin Gleeson and Keiron Cunningham for helping him and is feeling more positive.

He said: “I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m wide awake and alert again. I think it’s just been nipped in the bud."