I'm so glad you're feeling better.
Unfortnately many people who are severely depressed aren't suicidal. What I mean by that is that they often get stuck in psychiatric limbo: too difficult to treat and don't meet crisis criteria.
More to my point, you have to tell them you are suicidal to get help (regardless of whether or not you really are). The magic words to get crisis treatment are: "I want to hurt myself". Unfortunately, that's the only way to get the help you truly need should you find yourself in a majorly depressed state again.
Hope you continue to feel better, Duthgar. Stay in touch with that friend!