Should I email my friend or not? family probs?

If you are talking to her, I don't understand the question. If she wants to talk to you about her life and personal problems, all you can do is make yourself available. If that does happen, you have to be genuine and ready for what is coming up yourself. If things are truly as you say, the last thing she needs is someone who lets her start to open up and then you either run away or fall to pieces so badly that she has to turn the tables and be YOUR support. Don't push yourself on her. I do find it admirable that you are considering your friend in the context that you are. It's a complicated situation and there are many adult who fail to recognize when a friend is having problems or is facing potential problems AND want to offer support. Just be gentle, be real and be patient. Realize also, if she may just lean on you if you allow her too and then "drift away" again as she gets her composure back. Do not take it personally and end up making her an enemy or someone to fight with down the road because you feel like she used you and dumped you when she no longer needed you- that is exactly what may happen. OR you could end up with a best friend for life! Either way, in my opinion you are a winner