I gave up on a friend just now...

I've been in the same situation before, and it's very hard to let go. I've never befriended someone for the sole reason of helping a 'beaten puppy' (and don't really think that's fair to the person being befriended), but I have had friends that were severely depressed. One, in particular, refused to accept that he was depressed, even when doctors were telling him that he needed treatment. He was sucking the life out of me and it got to the point where I couldn't handle it any longer. I told him that he needed to get treatment and that I was unable to continue his free therapy sessions. He got very upset and didn't understand how selfish he was being. I stopped talking to him, but I left the communication lines open if he ever needed to talk to me. About a year after we stopped talking, he contacted me telling me that he had sought treatment and was doing better. We talk occasionally, now, but he's got his own life now and doesn't need his friend-therapist anymore. I'm happy for him, and I'm very, very glad he got treatment.

You have played your role, now leave him pick up the peaces. You help a person who helps himself not one who is pulling down while you are pulling up.

Thats is very true. You can only do so much for a person. Trying to help that person and that person not wanting your help or accepting your help only gets you down and you dont need that. Just dont get down on yourself for giving up because you did a good thing by helping but your right you cant help someone who dont wanna help thereself. Just make sure you keep lines of communitcation open incase this person wants to get help and needs your assistance in finding help.