It’s hard when depression hits. I have no idea if his needing to be needed helps. I know when depression hit me I get irritated that I’m the only one my cat can rely on. I’m often remiss in emptying his cat box and once went a month not giving him his wet food because it was too much trouble. I just stayed in bed. He had his dry food but was used to wet food twice a day too. But he was a trooper about it all and just crawled in bed with me. I should state that he’s never slept with me except when I was depressed. He’s not a cuddly cat. But he did know something was wrong. I appreciated his comfort.