Welcome to the latest installment of The Struggle, a series where we examine the mental-health and social issues that students and recent graduates encounter during the oftentimes grueling law school experience. We are posting these stories because sometimes what law students and recent graduates need is to know that they’re not alone in their pain. Sometimes what law students and recent graduates need is to know that they’ve got a friend who is willing to share not just in their triumphs, but also in their struggles. These are real messages from real readers.

If these issues resonate with you, please reach out to us. Your stories need to be heard. You can email us, text us at (646) 820-8477, or tweet us @atlblog. We will share your stories anonymously. You may be able to help a law student or recent law school graduate who needs to know that someone else has been there before and survived.

I graduated from Southwestern Law School. I failed the bar in 2017. Today, I will go to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services on the same street as Southwestern Law School to apply for Cal Fresh and Cal Works. I have applied for over 600 jobs over the last year and a half and the only job I found was a seasonal position at Macy’s selling watches for minimum wage and that ended two months ago. I have missed three opportunities to retake the bar exam because I can’t find a job in anything. I know my degrees are worthless. I have dedicated the rest of my life to educating people on the perils of higher education. Southwestern Law School ruined my life and I don’t want anyone else to be in this position. I owe $300,000 in federal loans and I will be on welfare: This makes me seriously suicidal. My life is over!! If I could sue, I would. I am just an African-American male from the inner city and I thought obtaining higher education would help me.

Most law schools have counseling and psychological services resources that students and graduates can turn to if they are in crisis or would like counseling, even after hours. If these services are not available at your school, and if you or someone you know is depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or a lawyer assistance program in your state (don’t be fooled by the name; these programs also provide services to law students). Remember that you are loved, so please reach out if you need assistance, before it’s too late.

Staci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.