The the best way to help a depression person is my pray for him and then advising him or her not to give up.
He or she need patience Faith believe hope all this will help him or her in life
Because when there is life there is still hope, and he should know that there are a lot of people who have died but they did not have the opportunity to be alive so that they can I meant or make their life better.
Some time in the prison which they don't have the opportunity to do what they want so he or she must not give room for the devil to destroy his or her future.
And he needs to create a lot of time for such person for a good counselling and advice, and you need to advise the person that he or she should believe in her or himself that one day he or she will overcome.
Prayers goes a long way to help anyone,so you are right with what you just said...