How do I help my depressed friend?

Dear Advice Girl,

My friend always complains that he's lonely and nobody loves him. I try to be sensitive and give him advice. I tell him to think positive, and I even told him he should join eSPIN.

But he refuses to think positive, and he says that my advice won’t help him.

I really want him to be happy. Can you help?

Signed,
   Help Me Help Him

Dear Help Me Help Him,

When you try to help out a friend, there's a point where you've basically done all you can do.

You're at that point now. You've heard your friend out, comforted him and given him advice. (Great advice, too - thinking positive and getting active are the best ways to snap out of a lonely spell.)

If he doesn't listen to you, that's his problem, not yours. You can't help people who refuse to help themselves.

The big exception is if you think your friend's danger of hurting himself. If that's the case, then get some outside help right away.