What may be happening
Your friend may believe nothing will work, fear being judged, or lack access to affordable care. Pushing can increase shame and withdrawal. You might feel responsible for fixing them—a weight that helps neither of you.
What can help
Ask how they are feeling before offering solutions. Stay in touch with low-pressure check-ins and invitations that do not require high energy. Share articles, hotlines, or provider directories casually—not as ultimatums. Help with concrete tasks when they are overwhelmed. Set boundaries on what you can offer so resentment does not build. Encourage small wellness steps that do not require formal treatment first—walks, regular meals, sleep hygiene.
When to get support
Seek urgent help if you or someone else is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, feel unable to stay safe, or symptoms are rapidly worsening. In the U. S. , call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
If you are worried about their immediate safety, contact crisis services or emergency help even if they ask you not to—safety overrides confidentiality in acute risk.