How can I help?

A very good friend of mine has depression. He was diagnosed 5 years ago and has been off medication for a couple of years now and says his way of coping now is to shut everything out so he doesn't feel anything. Including me. This doesn't make sense to me and I hate the thought of him being alone. I don't want to push him because I think that would be a very bad idea but I want to help. But I don't know how.

Just keep being his friend. That's about all you can do until he is ready to get some help. What he is doing isn't good, or healthy and eventually he is going to hit bottom. When he does, he is going to need a friend to give him a hand up.
Jacki

Jacki gave good advice Lost One. Don't push him, when he's ready he'll come around. I hope he gets help if he needs it

I just hate it that he's shut me out, he's not a BF or anything, just a good friend. I wish I knew how to help him.

LostOne, You are doing the very best thing you can do for him at this point in his life. You are being his friend, his support system no matter how much he shuts you out. There is a reason for the saying "you hurt the ones you love". He is hurting you by shutting you out, but he knows that no matter what you will be there for him. That knowledge is helping him get through this. Just keep being there for him. It takes an amazing friend to stick around in times like that, you are an amazing friend.
Jacki

I say just be there when he asks for your help.

Thanks I just feel so bad for him. And I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself. He's never been like this before.

My heart goes out to you lost one. It is so hard to stand by and watch the ones we love struggle. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just stand by to catch them when the fall, or give them a hand up. Until he is ready for help, just keep being there for him. And we'll keep being here for you.
Jacki

You've been given good advice by Jacki dear one. Just be a friend, that's all you can do until he's ready

Lost One, if he's going to hurt himself, there's nothing you can do. Try to just be there for him

Lost One, standing by and watching someone we love struggle and fall is one of the hardest things to do. But, until he is ready to stop the fall or pull himself up from the fall there is nothing you can do but stand by. If he's not ready to reach out for help, any help offered is not going to do any good. He needs to be ready to take that step. He knows that you are there for him, and that is a big help to him whether it feels that way right now or not. You are doing the best thing you can. You are being the best friend you can be.
Jacki

Thanks everyone for telling me I'm doing the right thing, even though I feel like I'm deserting him. I asked him to come out with us tonight to get away and he refused, said he wanted to be alone

Maybe sometime you could ask him if you could stop by? check in on him

I didn't get home until late but I text messaged him. He didn't reply yet. I hope he's sleeping

He's lucky to have such a thoughtful and caring friend Lost One.
Jacki

You're doing all you can Lost One. I'm sure he'll be okay. Maybe he just needs a time out

Did you go see him? How'd it go?

He's in the hospital, he OD'd. I feel so bad for him. They pumped out his stomach and he will be ok physically but he needs help

Don't let this get to you Lost One. Lean on us. Please

Kylie is right, and your friend is in the right place to get help Lost One. Just keep being his friend, he'll really need you now.

Jacki

I'm so sorry Lost One. But I'm relieved that he's where be belongs, getting help. He'll be fine and I know you'll be right there by his side

Lost One I was afraid of this. He's getting help so now you can rest

Thanks everyone. I wanted to see him last night but they wouldn't let me in. He's out of ICU right now and is going on the psych ward today. I'm going after work to see him. I hope he wants to see me

Just keep being there for him Lost One. When I OD, I lost all of my friends..

I agree with the other's just be there for him and remember we are here if you need us!! Here's my e-mail if you ever need it sweetie.......

heather_meier4@yahoo.com