Sylvia & Depression

“My Plus is passion.

I started in international banking straight from school. I enjoyed it. An escape too from personal demons and periodical depressive episodes. My career progressed well though, regularly promoted, gaining expertise and a respected market reputation.

Later, during a personal ‘perfect storm’, I slipped into suicidal depression. I doggedly continued working but finally, secretly, sought medical help. With medication and counselling I unbelievably and unexpectedly transformed from mental ill-health to full recovery, and beyond. Sometimes we have no choice about what happens to us, but, we do have a choice how we manage it, was my profound personal learning.

The transformation unlocked and awakened hidden talents and attributes, and ignited my plus; for life, and giving to others as someone gave me. So, alongside my career I became a counsellor, volunteering for charity, and later a coach.

My plus revitalised me and re-energised my career. I was regularly headhunted, moved into investment banking, progressing into managerial and leadership roles. I was a consistent high performing achiever and role model in dynamic, demanding and competitive environments.

Gradually, my plus to inspire, enable and support others overtook that for investment banking. I made strategic choices, career path changes and finally left my long and successful finance industry career to follow my plus, and aspirations for a world without fear, stigma, shame or discrimination around mental ill-health.

The photo? My life-long, beloved, fun activity that gives me so much.” – Sylvia Bruce