You are good friends to do all this.
I added to my reply above and then noticed you had responded, Juditha. I am sorry you are going through this stressful time with your friend.
It seems to me that if your friend is sobering up a little, all of you need to come together and talk to him and let him know in no uncertain terms that you are not going to allow him to do this.
You can tell him that he can get counseling, and he can find his own reasons to live, but that you guys are just not going to allow him to leave this way. Just keep checking up on him, hourly, or someone stay with him for a while.
He is seeking attention. So, maybe just stay on track with "wellness" talk. Don't let him sit and rationalize his troubles to you guys. Keep steering him back to addressing the problem, which is his depression.
Also, I hope you guys get some counseling too. This has got to be rough to go through.
I'm not an expert, but that's what I'd think of doing and saying under those circumstances. Besides, I'm preaching to the choir. You've already done so much. What a champ! You're the best!
I always like what my mom said about it...one good reason to stick around this place is "someone might make me laugh"
love, blink