I am suffering from depression these days. My father is an alcoholic and beats up my mother and me. He does not give us any money at all. Neither does he care if we have enough to eat and survive. What should we do?

Name and address withheld

You should have him arrested: call up the cops and show him the realities of life. The more you tolerate these kind of rogues, the more brazen they will get. No one has the right to behave this way and cut out this self-pity crap of being in depression. Be brave and act swiftly, not like some wimp who through whining his way in life wants sympathy.

I am 12. I am addicted to pretty girls. I cannot get them out of my head and think of them for hours at a time. How can I get rid of this obsession? It is affecting me quite badly. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Listen son, that’s like about 99.2% of the world’s male population including those who are gay. So you aren’t some exotic dish that has been served to humanity. Being addicted to pretty girls is less of an issue than being addicted to cocaine or for that matter to the communists. So thank your stars that you have a decent addiction and no one can send you to jail for this. Kalmadi was addicted to sporting money and see where it got him? Enjoy this addiction and spread it to the balance 0.80% as well.

I am 13. My parents want me to study all the time. My father thinks that if I spend time with my friends or text them a lot it will distract me from my studies. I know I am young. But I want to take decisions on my own. I cannot judge whether I am right or wrong. Nowadays I am having fights with my parents. How do I avoid all this?

Name and address withheld

The best way to avoid all this is to STOP all this, bright button. Look your parents have your best interest at heart even though you seem to be the kind of dolt who should have been spanked whilst you were in your mother’s womb. But since that obviously hasn’t happened, they have to suffer you. So go ahead and follow their advice. One day you will do well. Or at least we all pray and hope!

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: aakolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Ph : 98309 93132
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)

Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for
social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)

Pronam

38/1, Beltala Road,Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740

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