Bruce R. Ross

Breaking Free of Depression’s Grip

A Powerful Success Story

Breaking Free of Depression’s Grip chronicles Bruce’s journey and struggle with depression, from his high school years until his retirement. During this time, his promising start in life transformed into dusk, a dark, gloomy, and unsettled existence in which Bruce lived twenty-four hours of each day. With eloquence and charm, he somehow recaptures the joys of his childhood in Dartmouth, growing up with his friends. Gradually, as those times faded, he finds himself in the middle of his teenage years and the beginnings of his depression. Since then, and for almost five decades, Ross has endured the pain of depression and its twin, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Foreword by Dr Sidney H Kennedy

About The Author

Bruce R. Ross

Bruce Ross has lived with depression and anxiety throughout his entire adult life; more than forty-five years. Despite this, Bruce found a way to press on and overcome the debilitating effects of his mental illness; he has led a fulfilling family life and remarkably successful career concluding it as Senior VP of Finance for a billion-dollar financial institution.

Other noteworthy accomplishments of Bruce’s include:
• Lecturer at Fanshawe College (London)
• A Bachelor of Commerce degree, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree
• Five marathons finished after the age of thirty-five
• Three triathlons completed, including a half-ironman, after the age of forty
• Travelling to all ten Canadian provinces and all fifty US states

Bruce was born, raised, and educated in Nova Scotia, Canada, and moved to Ontario in 1987. He is now semi-retired and currently resides in Meaford with his wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Hannah.

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For insight into how depression grips one’s aspirations, for insight into how one man, his family, and his employer loosened that grip so Bruce could breathe, grow, and succeed in life and in business, this is a must read. Yes, a must read.

– Bill Wilkerson, LL. D. (Hon)
Executive Chairman, Mental Health International

I commend Bruce for having the courage not only to persevere with a disease that would have crippled most, but to triumph in his working career as well as in his personal life. Equally as impressive is his willingness to share his struggles in candid detail.

– Janet Grantham
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mainstreet Credit Union
Sarnia, Ontario

Breaking Free of Depression’s Grip by Bruce Ross can truly inspire those who have or know of someone who suffers from depression and anxiety. Bruce has a valuable message of hope and inspiration.

– Barry Fraser
Fraser & Associates
Rotary District 6380 Governor 2017/18
Chatham Ontario

Breaking Free of Depression’s Grip is a moving testament of perseverance to overcome obstacles.

– Sakina Rizvi, PhD, MACP, RP
Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Unit
St. Michael’s Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,
University of Toronto

Breaking Free of Depression’s Grip is evidence of Bruce’s ability to connect with others, to share important information about depression, and to demonstrate that improvement is possible.

– Donna Litwin Makey
Executive Director, Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent
OT Reg. (Ont.), MBA