Of course... professional courtesy.
It's not unheard of for people to represent themselves in court and win. But you need to have a lot of faith and grit. You need to love the battle, and truly believe in the cause. That's what gives you the spiritual stamina to tire them out before they tire you out.
I'm all for doing something desperate in an unbearable circumstance, just so long as that something desperate is to the point. And to my way of thinking, suicide is never to the point. Never give a cruel world what it wants. And it's far better to fight and lose than not to fight at all. But winning is best of all. I know, because I've had it all three ways.
P.S. Some people with depression get a lift from aspartame. Other people just get headaches. But it's worth a shot, and you don't need a prescription. No phenylketowhatsis need apply.