I know what most people who are reading this are thinking, that she's very young and she's doing these things at such a young age, but I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I wanted to kill myself, but I am thinking that I want to live until it is time for me to die. I thank those five girls who have been there for me and I wish them the best, but now it has gone to a stage where I am going to lose them forever. I had a little argument with a girl in my class and now, it has turned into a whole commotion where I am in fear of getting myself, killed. I sat up and I cried and said to myself, if I am getting myself killed, then I wonder what it will be like?

What will people think? What will they say? Will it make a change and a difference to everyone if I wasn't here?

Please, can you help me before it is too late because right now, I'm skating on thin ice and I feel as if I am going to fall through and want to seriously harm myself.

N.R., London, England

Dear, N.R.,

You are a young teenager and you are having the same type of struggles that other young teenagers are having. You are not alone and what you are crying out for is guidance. You haven't said anything about your parents. Some teenagers don't have a good rapport with their parents, but those who do can rap with their parents and tell them how they feel and their parents will help them. For example, your mother had similar problems. She had struggles with boys, too, and she didn't get along with all her girlfriends.

You are going through a difficult period of your life. Sometimes, you are going to feel very happy and sometimes, you are going to feel very sad. There are times you are going to feel like some people love you and other times, you are going to feel like no one loves you. You may feel like you are too fat and you may say that you are too skinny. Sometimes, you are going to feel like you should be like the other girls who are free to do whatever they want to do.

I want you to understand that you must think positively. Set high goals, but set goals that you know you can achieve. Set little goals and when you have achieved them, set higher ones, and that will motivate you to achieve more difficult goals. Determine to make high grades. Don't allow boys to play with you. You are not ready for sexual intercourse. Be nice to boys by saying hello, but don't allow them to play with your private parts. Keep away from drugs. Go out in groups and give yourself enough time to grow up. When you are struggling with any matter, talk to your guidance counsellor.

Pastor