RG: " HELPING A FRIEND .....• Talk to your friend and ask if they are feeling down, thinking of hurting themselves or thinking about suicide; listen and do not judge their feelings" - -i would add   NEVER, ever tell someone who is depressed to "just put a smile on your face" "buck up" "fake it til you make it"  "oh it's not that bad.."   1)  it's minimizing and denying the person. as soon as that is said - you've lost their ears, their trust - they will not open up to you again most likely. 2) don't ignore it- even if you don't know what to say - get across you empathize with them as they feel as they do. "i'm sorry to hear that you are feeling so bad..."  or...? mimic how they verbalize how they feel.  not in such a way to  minimize it ..just paraphrase.  3)don't try to get them to do a U turn on how they feel.  you'll just lose their confidence. 4) do some follow up - a phone call later a bit later, let them know you care, want to just check in and are there with an ear and a heart.