My long distance boyfriend is depressed and drinking

My boyfriend and I have been together for two years and a few months now. Four months ago my boyfriend and I both had to move to different countries for college. Ever since he has arrived at his college he has been having a hard time making friends and is going through episodes of depression where he sleeps in and misses classes and gets drunk alone. Three years back he had severe depression which was worsened by his drinking, his parents put him in rehab and he has had countless therapy sessions during that time. When we started dating he was just coming out of this dark stage and we have many wonderful memories however we did fight many times because of his obsessive need to drink. I love him from the bottom of my heart and I have been doing my best at showing him that I care about him and I love him ever since he left for college but I feel that all of my efforts have not been appreciated by him. That's okay though, I know that he is having a rough time and right now everything needs to be about him and not me. I feel as though he doesn't think that I am there for him and that he has no one to turn to when he is feeling down. I have told him multiple times that I am here for him but alcohol is always the first thing he turns to when he is feeling depressed. Not being about to physically be there for him has put a strain on our relationship and I feel as though he is pushing me away for reasons that he is putting in his own head that are not true. Ever since the beginning of our relationship I have known that he is very sensitive and he can easily slip back into depression but thankfully he did not and I think that is because I was physically there for him and he also had friends and family around him during that time. Now that he is in a new environment where he doesn't know anyone and thinks that a lot of people are against him and he doesn't fit in anywhere I can feel that he is suffering and he is slipping into a dark stage. I am not in a position to book therapy sessions for him however I have encouraged it and suggested that he see his college counselor. I just want him to know that I am here for him and that although I cannot fix the situation I would love for him to trust me and confide in me and talk to me about the problems that he is facing. What are some things that I can say to him that will make him feel more confident that things are going to turn out fine? What are some things I can say to him that will let him know that I am truly here for him? There isn't much that I can do due to the distance but I would like to write to him and le thim know that no matter what I am here for him and that he should not feel as though I do not care.

It sounds as if you have done every possible thing that you can do. You have told him that you are here for him, suggested he sees his college counsellor, and provided emotional support.

Sadly, no one, even you, can make him seek help. This is something that has to come from him. It sounds as if you're doing a lot of giving and not getting a great deal back, due to his depression, and I'm wondering who is there to listen to and support YOU?

Please seek support for yourself, whether this is from friends, a therapist, or organisations such as AlAnon, who provide peer support for the relatives and friends of those with addictions.