My eight-year-old son says he doesn’t want to live anymore

DEAR DEIDRE: MY happy eight-year-old son has turned into a child who says he doesn’t want to live any more.

I’m his mum. I’m 41 and am worried sick about him. I booked one appointment with a counsellor, but he has point-blank refused to go.

I have suggested that he writes down how he’s feeling but he won’t do that. My doctor has been useless and told me that he’ll grow out of it.

He seems to be coping OK at school and he’s getting on with his work. His teacher doesn’t seem too worried about him.

My husband tries to talk to him but he shuts off completely. The only thing I can think of is that the school has separated his class into two as it was getting too big, and now he’s not with his friends.

He says things like: “I hate myself. I hate my brain for having sad thoughts.”

It’s put a dark cloud over the house and I never know when his low mood will descend. I’m concerned he will feel worse as he gets older. I have no idea where to turn.

DEIDRE SAYS: This must be a huge worry for you. It isn’t unusual for a child to feel depressed but with help and therapy, he has every chance of recovering.

The move around at school is almost certainly the catalyst.

A good school should have trained their staff about mental health in children, even at his young age, so talk to them again and see whether your son could be moved back into the same class as his friends.

Explain exactly what you are concerned about and ask them to try your request to see if it makes a difference.

You can find additional support through Young Minds (youngminds.org.uk, parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544).

They can give you further advice about mental health services for children.