9 year old saying he wants to die

[poptartprincess]

Here for traffic and because I don't really know where it would go

My little brother just started texting me from my mums phone saying he doesn't want to be alive. That his only two friends hate him and he is so sad and wishes he was dead. Sadly this isn't the first time he's said he doesn't want to be alive recently. I've just spoken to my mum and she's talking to him about it but has no idea what to do. Does anyone have any experience in this? He's a very anxious boy and has been since he was little. He used to be terrified at even the thought or mention of death so this is really out of character for him...

I have a nephew who is severely anxious about things, hates himself, says he's stupid. Has been going in for years but my sister has recently managed to get him diagnosed as being in the autism spectrum. It took ages and he is now in his last two years of secondary school, but very rarely goes. I would advise speaking with the doctor and asking for a meeting at school to find out if there are any deeper issues affecting him

How heartbreaking. Please tell your mum to take him to the doctors as soon as possible, he needs to see a psychologist now! Don’t let it fester, far too many stories these days of young people taking their lives – better safe than sorry.

If you can, try to spend as much time with him as possible, take him to do stuff he likes, out for dinner etc. give him as much love as you all possibly can.

Sending love to the little man xx

Try and get him referred to CAMHS. My DS can be very down on himself, which is very upsetting. One minute all is well, the next, everyone hates him and he's useless and wants to die.

My little girl started talking like this at age 7. It was extreme anxiety with an underlying cause of autism. We were so shocked, as we'd had no idea.

Things that might help his anxiety:

• knowing what's happening and when
• No last minute changes to routine.

• a visual timetable for school.
• a bucket load of empathy.

Go see the doctor.

My nephew used to talk like this - how he hated himself etc. My sis and brother in law thought he might have autism but he didn't. He did have counselling however and is now the happiest kid you could meet. He's incredibly bright and very creative and inclined to think very deeply into things. But he seems able to deal with that now and really is a very contented person, happy in his own skin.

I think your mum needs to take your brother to the doctor for a referral. I hope he'll be okay.

Maybe arrange some nice days out or get him interested in a hobby to help break this chain of thoughts. Hope you all get lots of support and this is sorted out quickly

My ds was like this at 10, took him to the gp who almost laughed but in a disbelieving way. He spoke to my son and seemed to grasp it a bit more but camhs was never mentioned, I was told to self refer to social work and now he has someone he sees at least once a fortnight in school. It's not ideal but the fact he was getting support has seemed to have some impact.

Your mum needs to take him to the doctors ASAP so the GP can make referrals for help for him. Do you think he would speak to a stranger about it on the phone? If so he can call childline. My daughter has before when she’s felt low (she’s now a little older but I think she was 9 when she called them) and they really helped and encouraged her to talk to me about it which she did. The number is 0800 1111

I hope your brother feels better soon OP.

My daughter had been saying these sad things from about 7. I was desperately pushing for help. Finally, now at 11, she has been diagnosed with autism and is getting help and we are getting advice with how best to support her. Please get your mum (or even go yourself) to the GP. If they’re no help, go to another one. Keep going until your wee brother gets help. He’s calling out to you because he doesn’t know how. It’s womderful that he has you and trusts you.