Dear Pastor,

I am 18 and my parents left me four years ago when they went abroad. They live in separate states but are married and have other children. Sometimes I feel they don't love me. I get very little support from them. I can't go back to school. I am stressed about it. They keep telling me they will send for me. I worried a lot until I started smoking heavily.

I live in a family house and I just feel crazy. Sometimes they fight and curse a whole lot. I feel so sorry for myself. Sometimes I just smoke ganja and drink until I pass out most nights. That is the only way I can sleep. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Please advise me.

J., St Ann

Dear J.,

Evidently, you are suffering from depression and your circumstances have contributed greatly to your condition. You need to go to a medical doctor and tell him/her what you are experiencing. You are 18, your parents are not living on the island and not giving you the necessary support and encouragement you need.

You said you are living in a family house but you didn't state with whom you share the house or whether those in the house are related to you. I do not know what career you would love to pursue, but what I would encourage you to do is to try and get yourself a job and go to evening classes.

Your parents have promised to sponsor you to America, but you can't sit idle while the application is being processed. Sometimes it takes a long time for children to join their parents.

Perhaps you have too much time on your hand, so to speak. You need to occupy your time by doing voluntary work. You need to stop drinking and smoking ganja. If you are caught smoking ganja, you might end up in prison.

If you are associating yourself with people who drink and smoke, you need to cut ties with them. Remember if you break the law, get arrested, charged and convicted, you will get a record and you might never be able to join your parents in the United States of America.

At your age, you should be involved in youth organisations and activities. Perhaps you should attend church and become a part of the young people's organisation there.

Pastor