I have a friend (no it is a friend, not me honest) who admitted to me they are feeling seriously depressed. He suggested he needs to talk to some profesionally. I advised him to go to his GP, but I just wondered what would happen after that? I think he needs conselling but is that free on the NHS? I don't think he can afford to go to a private psychiatrist. Sorry if I got some of the terms wrong, I just want to help my friend and I'm a bit new to all of this. Thanks in advance.

Once he goes to his GP, he will get a referral on the NHS and it is free.

it's free, yes, but the waiting lists are ridiculous in some places.i waited a couple of months to see a counsellor, and i was a priority because i was under 18.if he's under 25 (i think, it may be 18 even) see if 'heads together' run a counselling service in your area because they were very helpful for me.but other than that, it may be a while before your friend gets to see someone, but i hope he manages to in the end

also it is worth bearing in mind you get what you pay for, especially in this area. free NHS counselling often isn't that great, and in the end my parents had to pay for me to go to private. if he gets a shit counsellor, encourage him to get his doctor to re-refer him until he finds one he is comfortable with. otherwise, honestly, it won't do any good anyway.