I think that you are doing about all you can do hun. It must be so hard for you right now as well as him but you are there for him and you care and that is alot to be thankful for. He is doing the right thing with the therapist and if meds have not worked in the past but he feels thats the way to go tell him to not give up there are a whole cocktail of meds out there for him to rule out until he finds what works for him. Babe you are doing everything you can and i think you should just keep doing what you are because friendship is all that you can do. HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR FRIEND.

I just never know what to say. I feel dumb saying "it will be okay", ya know? Because I don't know how to fix what is going on. His wife left (can't fix), she took EVERYTHING (can't fix), he's bankrupt (already filed) and he's losing his guitar in the bankrupsy. His guitar and writing are his two outlets when he gets really down. It was a collector guitar, it's not like I could even get him a new one, KWIM? What can I say other than "I'm here for you" ?

Just let him know you will do all you can to help him, help him be sure he has a plan and some numbers easy for him to get to if he feels himself in a crisis. Just talking about making himself an alternative plan will help him a lot. You can also draw up a "no self-harm contract" with him and have him sign it. I have a sample of one if you want one, just message me.

At this point there is nothing that you can say to make it better. I know that is hard but there isn't, he has had a bloody rough deal and for the time being nothing is going to be ok but it will come good in the end, you will both see if he just holds on in there. Being there is all that anyone can do, hug him tell him you care and let him know that you are there anytime when things are getting on top of him. Let him talk but don't make him. Take him out for walks or anything that you both like doing, try distraction. Other than this i don't know how else i can advise but it seems to me that he is, as down on his luck as he might be, a VERY lucky man as he has a good friend that bothers with him. Good luck hun i wish you both well.

The best thing you can do is get your friend some help.. Help him to realize that things do and will get better. I also suffer from depression, and OCD. But i take each day and learn from them.. TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME.b nLet your friend know that you care it will mean the world to him.

Thanks so much everyone for all of your advice. I really appreciate it. My friend seems to be doing better, but I guess only time will tell.