He’s been depressed since i’ve known him (about 7 years). He’s gone through drug abuse, physically abusing his girlfriend (even while she was pregnant), prison, alcoholism and serious self-esteem and love issues. His mother is a real piece of work who is pretty much the reason he is who he is. His father and step-mother claim to be there for him, but are on the ‘he’s a big boy and can take care of himself’ page.
He doesnt seem depressed at all to most people, but i’ve always been the person he’s confided in. More recently (last 6+ months) he’s been scaring the sh!t out of me. He calls (like last night) me real late and talks to me about how numb he is and how he has no desire to live.
He doesnt complain about anything in specific, he has no real gripes. He just doesn’t want to be alive.
He doesn’t have the money or time to go to a counselor and wouldnt want to see one anyway. I feel like i’m the only person who can help him.
What can I do? I’m terrified for him.
He’s never threatened to kill himself. I make him promise that he wont and he says “I would never do that. I promise.” but continues on about how little he feels. And I actually recognized this in him before he came to terms with it.

I think i’m going to start looking for some low-cost or free counseling. Maybe i’ll drive him and make sure he goes and always has a means of getting there.