How can I help my lovely lovely friend who seems a bit depressed?

[MinkyBorage]

She told me today that she feels a bit depressed, and that she's been here before. I think it would have taken a lot for her to have told me that, so I think she's feeling worse than she says.
She is very busy with dc as am I, and we are good friends although we only see eachother about once a week. We could do a few more things socially.
I think I can take her dc one morning a week so she can have a little time to herself, which she doesn't get at all at the moment, but I guess she'd feel like she needs to reciprocate, which she doesn't.
Her dh is quite controlling with money, leaving her unnecessarily overdrawn, and unable to do nice things.

I wish I could do something to make her feel better, but I am so very short of time, I wish I had more to spend talking to her.
Also, when she does talk about it, I'm unsure how to help her. My natural inclination is to try to normalise her feelings, "yes, you're bound to feel like that, having dc is so hard" etc etc, but I wonder if this diminishes the seriousness of them??
I'd be really grateful for any advice.

[littleshebear]

Having depression myself and having been depressed for ages without seeking help, I think I would make some time to talk to her about how she's feeling and perhaps suggest she goes to see her GP? If you could read up on the symptoms of depression and if she seems to fit them you could suggest this and I think that's what I would have found most helpful.Perhaps even offer to take her/go along with her for moral support.I am much better now but if I hadn't got professional help I would still be ill now. I think I also was depressed when I was at home full time a few years back but it's easier to hide when mostly it's only DC that see you!
Otherwise I would make a regular date with her to do something together and get her out of the house.