Debt!

Sorry not sure where to post this but, I just recently got a call from a couple debt collectors and I've been reading that they can sue you if you don't pay them back. I have a couple credit cards that I pretty much had to live on because I had lost my job, so I had a hard time paying the $25 payment so I eventually lost making payments and now they want money and I've tried to talk to them but I'm scared to know what will happen. I know my credit will turn to crap but I'm young and this is my first time working with credit. I would appreciate advice or if anyone has been in this situation to give me words of encouragement, i would appreciate it!