It's less personal. I find it easier to talk to people online or through text because I can't see if they are reacting negatively to my information, and most people have the decency not to type something offensive to their close friends in a serious conversation. Sometimes people speak without thinking, but it's really hard to type/text without thinking. When it's something I'm really emotional about (for example depression) I'd rather not be (unintentionally) insulted at the time.

Or just, you know, ignore the dude.

Ah, the old passive-aggressive move! Ignoring the dude is so subtle that he probably won't notice and will indefinitely delude himself into thinking he's dating her. The plan I have is bold and decisive! One effective way to deal with crazy people is to out-crazy them. My kid used to pull crap in public betting that I wouldn't dare make a scene. Well, she lost that bet BIG TIME -- of course, there are some places I can't ever go back to, but my kid behaves in public.

Dear God, I dare only imagine the mental scarring on your daughter Perdix =)

Rayn4u, Don't worry -- I exaggerate for comedic effect. My daughter is turning out quite well. We have a very good relationship and she is quite popular and well-liked by a wide group of her peers. Even the girls in "The Clique" are friendly to her, even though she is not one of them. She gets good grades, and she even has a "boyfriend." Keep in mind that "perdix" does not exactly reflect who I am and what I believe in real life. Thanks for your concern, though.

While I agree that it's not cool to make fun of depressed people, I also hate the assumption that anyone who is depressed is a good person who just needs help and can't control what they're doing. I'm bipolar and have PTSD, and my father has bipolar as well. I was suicidal when I was 11, and I realized it was stupid and selfish and didn't do it. I also work very hard to control what I say and do so I'm not making everyone else's life worse with my crap. My father, on the other hand, is abusive and threatened suicide on multiple occasions. His bipolar isn't any worse than mine, but he (although he is on meds) barely does anything besides pop a pill to control his, refuses to do the proper behavioral therapy, and loves to manipulate and control the people around him so he can continue to abuse them. It took me until I was 24 to understand that if he killed himself it wouldn't be my fault. So I have been in both positions - being suicidal (and not saying anything, and choosing not to do it) and having someone constantly threaten it and make me feel horrible all the time. And having been in both positions, I can say that OP's friend needs to get help and stop emotionally blackmailing OP. Because yes - some people who KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING and CAN HELP IT are still manipulative and childish and will do horrible things to get what they want.

Who was making fun of the depressed people? I've had a nasty history with depression myself. I've never used my depression as an excuse for ensuring someone would stay around me. In fact, I kept it to myself until I felt I needed help.

The people who continue to say "tell them to do it I have popcorn" and such. I was also just mentioning it because I know a lot of people who do make jokes about depressed people just being "emo." I just think in this case, the Op needs to call his bluff and get him help. He is obviously not one of the stronger people who can fight their disorder/depression/whatever he has. Also, while you are allowed to be annoyed with your father, you don't know personally how bad his is, you aren't him.