I know someone who went to the bin after a suicide attempt, and he says this is similar to the routine they followed.

Isn't the problem with any effective treatment for depression that the people who need it the most are the least likely to be able to implement it? If I were depressed I can't imagine being able to -- or even wanting to! -- sit with my thoughts in a "non-judgmental" way for half an hour a day, and then jog for another half hour.

Yes, truly depressed people cannot do anything. 

Perhaps meditation and running can be helpful to normal people going through times of stress and sadness. 

So true, Adam. There's a common misunderstanding in definition between clinical depression and being depressed.

The distinction is confusing unless you personally know someone who's been through clinical depression. 

Does it help to have a resident butt-kicker to get you moving, literally and figuratively?

Any encouragement and motivation to get you moving seems like a good thing to me, Stephen!