Well that is a good question Queen of Chaos. I think when your in that position you have to make a judgement call on what that friend can handle and ofcourse their state of mind. If you know them enough to realize that the advice could do more harm than good, even if you know it to be the truth, then you are better off not saying anything. Unless you see that they are in danger by not knowing the truth.
It is a judgement call and as I said, the truth may do more harm than good at times.

Open Eyes