You should approach a mental health professional and ask for guidance. A social worker might be able to help you help him in some way. Death is hard. More so wh

You should approach a mental health professional and ask for guidance. A social worker might be able to help you help him in some way. Death is hard. More so when it is as reagic as you stated. It changes us and sometimes not for the better. Grieving is complex and affects everyone differently. The only option is to get informed and approach him while respecting his dignity. You may not be the right person to talk to him, but you might be able to find the person who would be. Above all, be kind. Not for his skills as a programmer. Be kind because everyone might just write him off as a loser who drinks away his problems. Best of luck.