16yo DS has just told me that during the post Xmas lockdown, when they were only receiving online teaching, one of his friends (they've only known each other since starting college in Sept last year) went through a MH crisis which resulted in them contemplating suicide.
His friend hadn't told anyone else, including family, but when it reached this point he contacted DS late one night and, in DS's words "I talked him down". Apparently the boy is OK and in a much better place now, enjoying himself at college again etc.
Now DS didn't tell me (or any one else) any of this at the time. It's just come out now and it's clearly affected him, he cried telling me about it.
I've told DS what a great thing he's done, that I'm proud of him for being such a fantastic friend but also that I wish he'd told me at the time as it's a lot for a 16yo to carry on their shoulders on their own. I worry about the impact on DS, the perceived "responsibility" he felt or would feel if, God forbid, his friend did do something.
Regarding the friend, I've only met him once and one of his parents briefly as they live miles away (college is offers a specialism so catchment is widespread) - so we don't know them at all, have no contact details etc
What could I do, what support can I offer DS?
Should be do anything about letting the boys parents know (although not sure how we'd do this )