Debts out of control need financial advice?

I am constandly being called by debt collectors, I owe a few credit cards and bills from mistakes that I made i the past, not really my mistakes but life threw me a couple of bad turns and I am trying to make good for what i owe, I am currently paying back two student loans religiously every month and that takes a chunk of my monthly income, with rent and my other bills I just have a enough to make it, a friend was talking about filing for bankrupty I heard both good and bad things about doing that, another friend said debt consolid. is the way to go... but be wary of scams by companies saying they will help but steal your money. I live in New York and the cost of living is high, I want to do the right thing, but could only do what I can do...I would like to get some serious advice from people who had to battle debt themselves? Bankrupty sounds good I know that will not cover the student loans but if they was the only past debt i had to pay till got on feet would help. Any advice ?