[Rebecca]

I have a friend who is in a very difficult situation and is responding to it by becoming a total victim. I have, in the past, expressed that I am sorry that the person is going through these things. I have also expressed that it becomes difficult for me to listen to unending negativity. As a result of this, the friend was out of touch for a long time. However, we just exchanged emails regarding a mutual acquaintance and I then asked my friend how things are going. The response was far more negative than anything I'd heard before. The person is admittedly angry all the time, leading a miserable life, unable to see or experience anything positive. The person made a vague reference in an email that I took to mean that suicide might be a possibility at some future time. The person is not a close friend, but nonetheless someone I care about. I am tempted to respond by saying I'm sorry that things are so hard, that I am very concerned, and then offer some perspective that suggests that life is what you make it, even identifying practical resources to go to for a different way of looking at things. But I suspect this would not be appreciated. Any advice about how to respond in a caring way in such a situation?