We get depressed when we feel we are cut off from who we really are. Your may feel alone even when people you love are close around you.  Most often it is because we have lost all self-esteem. We cannot see ourselves as anthing other than 'wrong'. We have beliefs about who we should be and how we should live our lives, but often this is not who we really are. It is important for your friend to find out what things matter most to him. What do you value above all else - then to check that these are your values and not someone elses. Very often people who are depressed want to please others and give over their lives to others, but it does not make them happy.  read more »