Wow, thank you all for your responses! I find that the more I learn about this disease, the easier it is for me to understand and find ways to tackle it. It's also just so comforting to hear others' stories and experiences.
I do have one close friend (in fact she's one of my very best friends, we've known each other for over 10 years now). She's had mental health issues too and just recently found out she is bipolar. Just a few days ago she told me she took a bunch of naproxin because she was so down. That kinda scared me and it scared her too. I asked her to see someone immediately so she can begin treatment. Hopefully she will be doing better too, and it's nice to know someone who understands because depression can be so difficult to understand if you haven't experienced it firsthand.
billieJ, I think you are right about not expecting anything is return. Too often I set such high expectations from people that I almost always end up being let down. I just need to put myself out there and not expect so much out of people.