How to help a friend through depression?

One of the very first steps to cure a depression is to make the affected person aware of the problem. If your friend does not even know he is depressive, and you suspect he is, the first you can do to help him is to put him on the way to this idea.

Depression is not being sad for a couple of days. It is an actual and serious disease, and must be handled as such. Except if you're a psy, there is not a lot you can do yourself.

Don't try to blantly say the truth thinking that depressive persons simply need to get their ass kicked. It's not that easy.

If you suspect one of your friend is depressive, try evoking the idea with him with the sole goal to make him consult a doctor. You will not cure it as an "amateur" psy.

There is no shame in being depressive, nor in being cured for that. It is not because this disease show no obvious symptoms that the affected person is not suffering.

A depressive person requires medical help. You can't replace it, even with all the affection and care in the world.

What you can do as a friend is make you available, and discuss, go out, distract your depressive friend when he need, and offer your shoulder when he wants to cry.

But also accept that in certain stages he will not need or want to see anybody. Accept it, stay friends despite his problems, and be ready to help and support him.

And remember: "A friend in need is a friend indeed".