So you have a friend. But they always seem sad. Like really sad. Sometimes you can't even get them to laugh at the most hilarious thing. They never want to go out and they spend the majority of their days in bed. You've recognized the signs of depression and you think your friend is surely depressed. What can you do to help them, even if they don't want to be helped?

Actually, there are several things you can do to help your buddy. Before digging in to the things you can do to help, here are a few things you should avoid:

First, avoid saying the word, "depression". They may not be ready to admit that they're depressed or to face it head on.

Secondly, if he or she wants to be alone, respect that and give them some time, but too much time alone could be detrimental to their mental health so allow for a healthy balance. Don't show up to their place if you know they would really rather be alone.

And last, avoid yelling, blaming or guilt-tripping them. The worst thing you could do for a depressed person is call them depressed or tell them they're being selfish. Depression is a mental health issue that can spiral out of control and take over their life completely. But you, being the good friend you are, are going to help them.

So here's how to help your buddy:

First, you need to recognize and keep in mind that depression does not equal sadness. Sadness is an emotion while depression is an actual brain disorder. People who suffer from it have a biochemical imbalance in their brain and sometimes have no control over the way the feel or act. If you yourself have not ever struggled with depression, just try to imagine how it would feel to have to force a smile and fake a laugh. Try to imagine what it would feel like when your favorite things stop making you happy or when you suddenly lose interest in the one thing that got you out of bed each day. Horrible. It feels horrible.

So when it comes to your friend, approach them with a positive attitude and a very open-mind. It never hurts to ask them what's on their mind. That might even open the door for a long heart-to-heart conversation that they've been needing to have. Who knows?

Let them know that you are there for them. Everybody needs somebody. Maybe it's not your best friend, but maybe you are their best friend. It's probably better to show them that you're really there for them versus telling them, because as we know, actions speak louder than words.

Get your friend out of their room. Drag them to lunch and take them to their favorite place. They may not thank you or even seem excited, but it will make a difference and it will brighten their day.

Surround them with positivity. Leave sticky notes on their desk that say, "you can do it!" and "you're amazing" or text them each day with a really motivating quote. Eventually, it will be something they look forward to.

Compliment them all the time. When depression strikes, it often effects the way people view themselves. Their self-confidence goes way down and they feel significantly "less" than the rest of us. Make a big deal about the days that they wake up and put effort into their appearance. That's when you know they're having a good day. They feel good when they look good so encourage them to put on their best outfit and to get out of their room more than they have been doing.

Lastly, if your friend is against counseling or treatment, offer to go with them. Counseling can be a very intimidating thing for some people. But it is helpful and counseling alone, can help or even cure their depression. I realize that sitting in a room and talking about their feelings doesn't really sound appealing, but when you think of that person as a licensed professional or as a doctor, who helps people just like you every day, then it starts to sound a little easier. If not, encourage your friend to think of the counselor as a friend and as someone who is going to build a relationship with them and help them through their dark time, just like you're helping them, but with a little more neurological knowledge than you have.

If these tips don't seem to help, then don't give up. Reach out to someone else to help your friend. Contact a parent or a best friend from home. You could even try to contact a mental health professional to see what they recommend.

Finally, you are a wonderful person for reading this article and for trying to make a positive impact in the life of someone you know. It takes some a pretty big heart to do that so kudos to you!