Hello, I have just joined as an AO in one of the Tier 1 firms. I have severe and serious mental health issues. I cannot quit because of financial condition. I am really distressed. Can seniors please help me? My work quality is good and my partner has assured me that the work is not an issue since thatswhy they hired me in the first place when I interned. I understand Internships and working at firm is really different. I really need help with some of the helpful teams that senior could share so that I can sustain this. I am looking at switching to in house etc after a while. However, I have loans to pay since my education was on student loan and family is also dependent on me.

Thankyou.

If you have mental issues you need to speak with your firm for assistance - i.e., is if you cannot do something as basis, as going for therapy on your own dime. Go for therapy - it's cheap, especially on your A0 income. Go to psychiatrists if the therapist advises so - get meds if the psych says. Help yourself. If you can finish law school and get a Big Law job, you can take care of your mental health and if you can't ask for help - no one can guess what's happening with you.

As someone who was recently diagnosed with mid level anxiety; had to leave the firm as it started affecting the work; and had to take assistance of the psychiatrist and medication. There is something I need to suggest, dont go for medication unless its absolutely necessary, even my psychiatrist was of the same opinion. He explained me that they give medications only in those cases where a person is not able to carry out social or work related obligations as it affects you adversely. SSRI, do have a tripping effect, you would feel sleepy, euphoric, would effect your reproductive organs and trust me you would start tripping and zoning out. had to rely upon the same, because the symptoms were worse. luckily was able to function properly after two months ssri as consuming it was more troublesome then not consuming it though there were some withdrawls when i left. resorted to spirituality during this time, it became a saviour. Go find something apart from work that suits you, dont think too much life waise hi chalni hai, thoda indifferent ho jaoge towards life would be better trust me.

If your family's financial situation is as you described it, you can't afford to have first world problems like mental health issues. You have to tough it out. Also if you're an A0 in a Tier 1 firm, how do you have time to think about your mental health? I didn't have time to breathe? Just keep working and you'll be ok in 2 to 3 years, when you have others sharing the workload.

No. It's bad advice regardless. Most teams / firms are plagued by indecision, lack of communication, and non-existent management skills. Asking someone who obviously is not / was not prepared or aware of this whirlwind of a job to tough it out and it will get better when there is no certainty if it will is objectively terrible advice.

All of us marinate in this misery but 2 saal mein sab theek ho jayega kuch nahi hota - all it indicates is that after 2/3 years you would get to do unto others what was done to you.

It sucks. It will continue to suck. There will be days/months where you may be better off but the terrible days will more than compensate for them. Hold on for as long as you can or want to. Everybody works in firms only for the money.