Anxious and sad 11 year old

[Sunshineandsparklesforever]

My son is 11 and is feeling sad and anxious at the moment, I feel that it’s started not long after he turned 11 in October. He says he has no friends, doesn’t want to see the friends at school due to conflict and differences of opinion, holds onto name calling from past experience from other class mates, the last few days he has said he wants to die. Me and his dad (divorced and not been together for 7 years now) have an appointment with camhs next week, I don’t feel he wants to actually die as we have discussed this in depth, he just feels sad in general and doesn’t feel he has anything good in his life. I would say as his mum he is generally okay in mood but then is he just putting on a front so I don’t worry. It’s an awful situation to be in and I know there are children who are going through worse out there. I work for childrens mental health and so pick up on what the professionals talk about so have a bit of an insight but I’m not a professional. Can anyone relate with their children doing through this and has it gotten better with time and help. Thank x

I'm sorry OP, I have no experience to share, but I didn't want to just leave without sending you a few kind words.

You sound like a great mum.

"I’m sorry to hear that your son is going through a tough time. It’s great that you are taking action and seeking help from CAMHS. Here are some additional suggestions:
Listen to your son: It’s important to listen to your son and let him express his thoughts and feelings without judgment. Try to understand what’s going on from his perspective.
Encourage him to talk to a professional: You mentioned that you have an appointment with CAMHS next week, which is great. Encourage your son to talk to the mental health professional during the appointment. They can provide him with additional support and coping strategies.
Help him develop coping skills: There are many things that can help with anxiety and depression, such as regular exercise, getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and spending time in nature. Encourage your son to try different activities and find what works for him.
Reach out to his school: Talk to your son’s teacher or school counselor and let them know what’s going on. They may be able to provide additional support or connect your son with resources at school.
Be patient: It can take time to see improvement, but with the right support and treatment, things can get better. Remember to take care of yourself as well, as caring for a child with mental health issues can be challenging." - Chat GPT.

Hope this helps. :)

Sorry to hear this, it is very discomforting alright. Stay strong.

I would say definitely get him to take up an activity after school for his mental health, maybe like football or hockey, or maybe even like kids coding camp like coderdojo. The more things he has to do outside of school, the more occupied and happy he'll be. :)