re: Depressed people in denial

He is 100% depressed. Source: I did the exact same thing before. Lucky I wasn't fired and I got help.

No shame in it. Depression is a real thing. It isn't always permanent, but people go through points of it in their lives. Sometimes it is triggered by something, sometimes not.

You don't always need drugs either. Or just temporarily until you get your life back on track (the method I used).

You buddy needs help no matter what he says. Whether he helps himself or seeks it from outside sources, he needs help. Letting him know you aren't judging but that you think he needs help and you are willing to help could be all he needs to get out of it.