Does distraught = depressed?
If so, your activities will likely only increase the depression because despite it being a temporary boost to their emotional state, they will crash harder when they are alone and realize that they were unable to achieve that without someone else, leading them to feel helpless and further spiraling.
You need to figure out what the root cause of the depression is, because without that, you won't make any significant progress. Dietary changes can be very effective in long term emotional state, but only if you have been able to draw the root issue out so that it can be addressed. It may require CBT in order to change their thought patterns, and that takes time and patience, and a good support network to remind the person of their blessings instead of their flaws.
Best of luck.
[–] 13300124? [S] ago
That is where I am at now. I know trying to help would seem obvious, and dammit the dude is smart as fuck and could see through me being anything other than sincere. Like, he would think I was trying to help and get inquisitive type of smart.
[–] 13300190? 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
If he is so smart, go at him straight. Tell him you are worried he is depressed and basically do a 1 on 1 intervention, as long as you are willing to work with him to move past his issues. Once you figure out the root issue, coddling him won't help, you will have to give him the old "buck up" speech and let him know that you care but the only way things will improve is if HE makes the necessary changes and commits to making them long term. Let him know that he can come to you if he is struggling, but basically let him know that if he fails, he needs to get up and keep going, that that is the only way to move forward.