Best friend extremely depressed

[ProudThread598]

I have been friends with her for about 6 months and we dated for about 3 and we're really close. Ever since we were dating, I've known about her extreme depression and abuse from her parents. She tells me that nobody would notice or care if she just died and even though she's a great swimmer and musician, she doesn't think so. She pretty much says she's fat and annoying and dumb, and it's not true at all.
Before you tell me to call a careline or something, about a year ago her other friends tried to get help, and it just hurt her even more. Her parents got really mad at her and she got even more depressed. She doesn't have the will to live anymore. I don't think she will do anything to herself soon, but I'm really worried about her.
I've tried to use my state's crisis line, but they haven't been helpful at all and they've only told me to keep being supportive.

[ska8er]

If the state crisis line wasn't helpful then
I don't think anyone here can give u any
other advice than to b supportive.

[Jrunner]

Yeah there may not be very much that can actually be "done" or much advice given, but I would suggest also simply monitoring her very closely, without telling her "I'm watching you to make sure you don't hurt yourself," obviously.

[TRAbitha13]

Maybe just tell that you will be there if she ever needs to talk. And tell her that you love her as a friend?

[Uniquemind]

Medications might be appropriate in this case or electroshock therapy.

[ProudThread598]

Yeah I'm there for her and we always say "ily" and stuff (platonically of course) but like it's just really scary with her in that mental state

[scentlessapprentice]

Just be there for her as much as you can. That's all you can do. Don't try to be her therapist. Just be there to listen

[Kazuki-San]

You should be there for her as much as you are able to. Being there for someone when they are feeling down is the greatest gift they could receive. I have stopped a suicide before just by being with someone in their dire times.

[ska8er]

Medications might be appropriate in this case or electroshock therapy.

Electroshock therapy is a bit drastic but one can
only give support and not diagnose her mental
state unless a good doctor can evaluate her. I
would b there for her but watch her actions that
she would not get physical.

[Ian.Gallagher]

Use the words "I care about you, you are a good (friend?) to me. If there is anything I can do to help, or if you just need someone to talk to, I'm here... you're not alone." Also, no one experiences depression in the same ways... I would advise against saying "I totally understand." More often than not, the response will be "No, you don't" because in the moment the person is probably at one of their lowest points.

Things to say:

- “I’m glad you told me."
- “I’m sad you’re hurting like this.”
- “What’s going on that makes you feel this way?"
- "Do you want to commit suicide, or know when?"
- “I care about you, and I would be so sad if you died"
- “I hope you’ll keep talking to me"

NEVER say:
- “Things could be worse.”
- “Other people have problems worse than you"

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.