As someone who was severaly depressed and suicidal a good 5-6 years ago now, I can tell ya, it isn't easy. I really feel for you fuckstick, going through that loss of a friend in such a way is terrible. I almost offed myself a few years ago, planned it out and everything but the one thing that stopped me was that I didn't want my mom to be sad. And such a silly sounding thing was the one key thing that kept me on this earth. Now I have so many more reasons.
It took me three sets of therapy and a different assortment of medications and massive life changes to get me better and to where I am now. There IS help out there for people who need it, but I hate the stigma of "man up" or "get over it." Stuff like that doesn't help. Yes I am better than I was 5-6 years ago but I am a long way from being top-ticket. I get bad bouts; ended up in hospital last November because of my anxiety and depression and only recently finished therapy and getting help.
I hear you there completely Timmah, it changes you but you can get through it, you and I are living examples that this stuff is possible to get through. The help I got got me through it and taught me so many life lessons that I try to pass on to others when they too are troubled.