In regards to the original post, take yourself out of your current position and put yourself in theirs. Lets say that someone you know, might even consider a friend, has been feeling down for some time and it's like they just keep getting worse. Maybe that friend feels alone and like no one cares. But they're your friend and you don't want them to feel that way. Wouldn't you offer a shoulder to lean on so that they don't feel so alone?