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Teenagers

Teenage son causing heartache

3 replies

Rickg73 · 26/01/2013 16:50

Where do I start? My 16 year old son has shown signs of depression for a number of years. We have tried to support him at home as well as to provide external support from CAMS. He has always refused point blank to even talk to them. More recently, he even refuses to talk to his mother or myself.

For the past few months he has been voicing that he just wants to leave home as soon as he can. We have tried to find out what is wrong, but to no avail! Now, without our knowledge, he has filed a report via a social worker. He has apparently asked them for advice about leaving home and has been told that it is perfectly ok to do so. I have no idea what has been said in these conversations.

My other children are perfectly happy at home, and whilst we are by no means a perfect family, we have always done our best to love and support our children.

I am very concerned about my sons welfare as I am sure that those who have spoken to him without our knowledge have no idea about his mental health problems. I do not feel he will be safe starting life on his own, living in some kind of hostel. I am afraid that at 16, he will be offered a place in a hostel, and that there is nothing I can do about this.

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ElectricSheep · 27/01/2013 00:27

Why a hostel? Do you mean for the homeless?

How did you find out about the sw? When you refer to a report, do you mean a report about you?

I'm sure loads of 16 year olds would want to leave home but they can't usually for financial reasons. Would your DS be able to?

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PoshPaula · 29/01/2013 13:09

This does seem really odd. I second this question - how would he support himself, financially?

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Rickg73 · 10/02/2013 10:34

That is the point, he has no way of supporting himself financially. This is why he has chosen to go down the route of falsely accusing us of being abusive parents. Social services have now been involved and say that they have zero concerns for his safety at home.

This means he will not be offered any sheltered housing. They have arranged for him to have a psychiatric assessment. He is clearly unwell right now, however he refuses to go to it. He is spending most of his time either stuck in his room listening to very heavy metal, or out with his friends. He seems to have no time for his family at all. When we tell him how much we love and want to support him, he just pulls away and tells us that our love is just another way we control him!