Well, a couple of bits of completely amateur opinion. However, froM 8 years of Uni, psych, nursing and being surrounded by friends who are doctors, nurses and psychologists I reckon my thoughts are as valid as any.
First up, it doesn't sound like just depression to me, but that I will leave to others to misdiagnose - and we have misdiagnosis down to an art form here.
A couple of things that might help.
First, it is crucial for all to realise that things won't be this way forever. One needs to stay alive for things to change though and cutting of the throat is not worlds best practice for continuing to live.
Son in law, and yourself for that matter must realise that most of the time these dreadful times pass and time has a way of bringing changes that result in happiness - in many cases in unexpected ways.
In short - shit times pass and sunshine creeps in. - all you have to do is stick around.
Second,
Do yourselves all a favour, chuck out the telly and the radio and severley censor all Internet content.
Fill your spaces with music, light and nature and avoid anything that represents itself as news or current affairs - and don't take the old being informed argument as anything but crap. The only thing you will be informed about is how bad a state the world is in and why you should justifiably leave it.
Stick to music.
Look at what you have got, not what you haven't got. Look at what you are blessed with, not what you lack.
And when your son in law starts to recover, ask him what the hell he wants money for.
Most people have no clue what they want with large amounts of money, but spend their life chasing it.
Work out what you would do if you had all the money in the world.
Once you know that - get about and do it, don't bother waiting for the money.
Forget goals, just pick a direction and go - life offers opportunities, explore them, accept them or discard them.
But don't do anything that doesn't lead TOWARD the sort of things you really want to do. Most people do the opposite.
Good luck with it -- breathe, just keep breathing.
