Suicidal Boyfriend

Hey everyone,

This might be a long post, but I am lost and need advice.

My bf and I have dated for 4 years (I'm currently a junior in college). We moved in together this summer. He has had occasional depressive tendencies for a while but last month they got worse, despite all of my efforts to help and support him. He moved back in with his parents, and since he decided to take out his depression/anger out on me in the form of physical and verbal abuse, I broke up with him.

Fastforward 2 weeks and he calls, more depressed than ever after realizing that I wasn't the root of his problems after all. He said that he was suicidal and that the thing he needed most at the moment was sexual attention and companionship, someone to vent to (i am his closest friend). I felt sympathy and gave him what he wanted.

Now he says that we were only having sex as friends. He says that he needs companionship and sex from me, but doesn't want to be tied down (texting/visiting regularly, helping me with errands or bills, etc). I am afraid that if I don't give him this, his mental condition will worsen or he will kill himself.

However, I also can't degrade myself into a "friends with benefits" type relationship. Everything he has said and done since the breakup has taken a toll on my mental health.

I still love him and I want to help him through this hard time, but I can't bear to be used and simultaneously ignored any longer. I know this isn't his true nature, but what if he never gets better? Similar experiences and advice are appreciated.