The issue of depression has been vividly foregrounded to me recently and I feel like I need help in dealing with it.

Two people who are both very close to me (one of whom I live with) have recently been medicated with anti-depression tablets and are undergoing courses of CBT and counselling. One of them has admitted to me feelings of worthlessness and even suicidal thoughts, leaving me feeling paralysed with despair.

Both of these people are outwardly happy, indeed the girl I'm fortunate enough to live with inspires dizzying levels of happiness in me whenever she's around - thus making her admission even more harrowing

The problem is that both of these people hate to be treated as a 'patient,' or for conversations to be filtered through the prism of depression.... This is the sort of thing I mean, quoted from a blog..

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“Why can’t you just get out of bed?” Instead try “You seem to have trouble getting out of bed in the mornings. What can I do to help you in this area?”
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The lexicon of the sufferer, this 'self-help' orientated speech that leads you to sound like Tony Adams is something that both of them are acutely aware of - and I'm desperate to avoid it. But as someone who has never suffered from depression I just don't know how to help.

If indeed Gary Speed's death is related to this illness then it just highlights how it is the ultimate private anguish, and I can't bear to think of myself as not being able to help in some way. From reading threads from earlier in the day it seems as if there are DiSers with similar issues, so any help appreciated. Ta.