Can someone please help.........?

hey there. i can tell that you feel close to him and that he trusts you enough to divuldge his thoughts to you. I think you have a good friendship, but that is what it should stay as. He is right and he is making it clear to you that he is not ready to take on a relationship in a healthy way. You would be better to be his friend to vent to instead of making him dependent on you to make him happy thru a relationship. You can not change his outlook on life, only he can do that. To be honest, his struggling with professionals and with the law, combined with his self destructive nature are all red flags in a relationship and i urge you to really yze things clearly before you pursue being with him as a relationship. By all means be his friend. Love him as a friend, but stay at a distance. Best of luck and take care.