‘It’s OK not to be OK’: One attorney’s journey to mental health

Mental health challenges affect people across professions, but they are more prevalent among attorneys, given the stress that comes with the work. Even with greater emphasis on mental health — May is Mental Health Awareness Month — many lawyers are still hesitant to discuss these struggles. This is why it was so important to Joe Fittante, president of Larkin Hoffman, that he discuss his own struggles with mental health to “normalize mental health challenges.”

“Many people have these challenges, and the more we talk about them, the easier it will become for people to be OK not being OK and to seek support if, and when, needed,” Fittante said. “I want people to know that you can still be successful, however you define that, and have mental health challenges.”

In 2024, Fittante was elected president of Larkin Hoffman after working for the firm for a quarter century. He’s a father of two daughters, a long-distance runner, a volunteer and a coach. Fittante has achieved significant success personally and professionally.

But in 2022, a dispute between franchisor and franchisee that Fittante said was not especially noteworthy started to take over. “I was unable to concentrate, I felt like I was spiraling and perseverating on issues, I was not sleeping and I was not eating,” Fittante reported.

“I thought I could handle it myself,” Fittante attested. “That was a mistake.”

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Fittante has been a long-distance runner since he was in his mid-30s. “In retrospect, I probably used that as a way to deal with my mental health issues, without medication,” Fittante explained. “But at a certain point, the running was not working anymore, and I needed more help.”

Fittante confided in a partner at the firm about his struggles, and the partner offered Fittante the name of a doctor to call. Originally, Fittante declined. But eventually things got bad enough that he reached out to the same partner, asking for the name of the doctor.

“My sleeping and spiraling were getting worse, and I did not see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Fittante recounted. “I remember sitting on the edge of my bed and thinking I can’t go on like this.”

Although Fittante says that he never got to the point where he was considering taking his own life, he understood how people could make that choice. “I was exceptionally lucky to get the care I did when I did,” Fittante remarked.

Ultimately, he made the call, but it was challenging, and he experienced a “mixture of emotions.” He reported feeling like a failure by admitting he needed help but also feeling relief once he spoke with a doctor who reinforced that he was normal and would recover. “My family was supportive and proud, so I took comfort in that,” Fittante said.

He was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Fittante went on medication for depression and anxiety. While there was relief, it was a process to get the correct medications and dosages. He still meets with the doctor every two to three months to check in. In addition to medication, Fittante practices anxiety-relieving techniques.

While his mental health has improved as a result, he still has challenges.

“I still struggle. Some days are good, and some not so much,” Fittante said. “Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet. But I am living proof that there is a path out of the darkness. If you are struggling, you are not alone and there is hope.”

Fittante also emphasizes an expected silver lining of mental health challenges. “I feel like I am a much more empathetic leader for our firm. I have a better understanding of issues others face, whatever they may be, and I have a much more positive outlook,” Fittante said.

Fittante says that his struggles have helped him not only to be a better colleague, but more importantly, a better father. Both of his children have mental health challenges. He says that his own mental health challenges were “the best thing that happened” to him. “They gave me a better perspective and a greater understanding of the challenges my daughters faced, more empathy and a deeper connection with them,” Fittante said. “These do not make me abnormal, unsuccessful, weak or any other negative word people attribute to those with these challenges.”

Given his position, Fittante thinks it is important to speak out about his mental health challenges. Fittante surmises that many attorneys are struggling but not open about their challenges or willing to get help.

“There are more people who are struggling than you think,” Fittante said. “It does not make you unsuccessful and does not need to be a career limiter.”

“It’s OK not to be OK,” Fittante avowed.