My 14yo DS has within the last month told me he feels low, sad and unmotivated. I had no idea he was struggling prior to this. The night he told me I found him trying to self harm.
He's been given access to a school counsellor. He's had 3 sessions and has 3 left.
After the first session I had a call to say that they needed to share with me that he has had suicidal thoughts. This was the most terrifying news.
They've not shared anything else, due to confidentiality.
He's also spoken to a friend of mine who is an children's consultant in a different county. She has of course kept his confidence, but she has said she doesn't feel he is in danger.
I know that the school counsellor has helped him put a safety plan in place for if he feels very low. This includes calling or messaging friends, or contacting helplines.
Because of this I decided he should have access to his mobile phone over night. But he's on it all night, often until 3am or later. I pop in to check on him, being as kind and understanding as I can. He won't talk to me about anything at all that is bothering him, or tell me anything other than he is struggling.
It's so hard to know what to do. I feel this lack of sleep must be exacerbating his low mood.
Can anyone help please?