Worried my ds (7) could be depressed

[uhoh2016]

Ds aged 7 is the middle child of 3 brothers. He's always been a sensitive child. My worry at the moment is that he's one very unhappy boy and I don't know why or how to help him. He's very down on himself and has zero confidence despite being well liked by his peers and very clever above national average in all his subjects he does not struggle with school work at all it comes very easy to him.
He's always been what I call "old headed "very mature and possibly too emotionally mature for his age. Lately he's not been wanting to go in to school but instead crying to stay with me. I've spoken to his teacher she has no concerns and says he seems happy enough in class has good friendships etc. She has spoken to him at my request to see if anything is bothering him to which he's said no. He often makes comments about wanting to die or wanting his family to die.
Im very conscious of giving him lots of affection and praise and reassurance but falls on deaf ears.
He will make everything and anything into a battle which is very hard for me not to rise too and get annoyed with. I know he's doing it for attention, it's as if he wants everyone to be as upset or angry as him.
On the rare occasions he's happy and smiling it's as if he then suddenly remembers he should be sad.

[hanbee]

Hi UhOh, I can't believe no one has responded to you. This sounds very difficult. Does your Local Authority have an Early Help Hub or another way that you can request a referral to the school nurses? Perhaps your GP?

[MrsT2007]

I have a son exactly the same.

We are at these early stages too. It's so hard to know how to handle him when he's saying "I'm useless, just get rid of me" etc

[mouldycheesefan]

You need an urgent referral to a child psychologist. What does your gp say? Have you spoken to cahms?