I assume you are using the term depression for yourself as a synonym of having the blues. Which is very much different from clinical depression. Friends and family cannot help a person that is clinically depressed. That is why none of the people left behind should feel guilty - cause they aren't. They've never been in a position to help in the first place. Only professionals can help, unfortunately a lot of clinically depressed people do not get the help they need. May it be because they are afraid to see a professional or maybe it is because they are made to believe that family and friends are 'enough'.

If you think about all that you could have/should have said, better do some research on clinical depression and try to understand the disease better, so you'll find that nothing you could have said would have mattered much. Plus, most importantly, you'll come to understand why people with clinical depression need professional help not family and friends.

I know you mean well when you say that, but to me it just keeps the cycle going by saying, that is what friends and family are for. Cause that is NOT what friends and family are for.

sorry for the rant, little pet peeve of mine.