For me it depends on the person and the setting. Along with that, is the way the emotional pain is expressed, which isn't necessarily (frequently it is not) expressed directly. I am struggling to deal with someone five days a week who is in quite a bit of emotional pain but her denial and poor coping skills are so great any conversation with her is like trying to carry a horse on my back. Do I minimize her pain by acting as though I don't know what is wrong with her? I ask myself if it would help her to point out the oh-so-obvious. And I also ask if it would help me. Maybe to the first, definitely no to the second. What did you think your friend could do with the information you shared? I think there is significant benefit in sharing our troubles with those qualified and interested in helping us. But I think it is counter-productive to share with those who can't handle the information, would use it against you, or make light of it. I'll close with saying that recently I attempted to ask for help with something that is giving me significant distress and received a smirking reply that made fun of my situation. Not everyone online is interested in helping others. I hope what I have shared helps; and I am sympathetic to your depression since I also suffer deeply from depression.