10 year old says she wants to die

[kitkatnatnat]

Last night my 10 year old told me she wants to die…… because then life wouldn’t be so difficult. She said everything outside of home is hard for her. She doesn’t speak outside of the house.
School in particular is incredibly hard for her.
Now I don’t think for a second she has suicidal ideations. I don’t think she even understands the meaning behind what she said but I don’t want it to become a narrative in her head that forms more meaning as she gets older and starts to understand those things.
I’m not sure what to do. I could talk to the school or GP but even if they offer some sort of intervention / therapy she won’t engage in it. She just shuts down, and as I said she won’t talk to adults outside of me and my husband. I don’t know how to talk to her about these feelings though. I didn’t give too much of a reaction because I don’t want it to become something she uses to get a reaction eg to get out of school. I did gently talk to her about how as she gets older she will get better at coping with things (is that even true?).
What do I do with this?
Those words are ringing in my ears this morning.

Sorry I should have said she’s autistic, and has a lot of anxiety hence the situational mutism

Yes, speak to the school and GP. In some areas you can self refer to CAMHS. Worth checking if you can.

What support is the school already providing? Does DD have an EHCP? Is DD receiving SALT support? What about OT?

What about some form of therapeutic input that relies less on verbal communication?

Hi yes she has an EHCP. School have been very supportive but I’m finding as a large mainstream school that no amount of support they can give is enough for her, although they try with time out cards, colour wheels, weekly small group emotional support. They are supporting our case for her to go to a specialist secondary next year and we are having a transition review and annual review soon.
She had some sessions with a psychotherapist last year who recommended a course of drawing therapy which I’d forgotten about so I’ll chase that up. I’ll try to speak to the senco at pick up today or Monday.

It sounds like DD needs more therapeutic support than she is currently receiving. If the upcoming review isn’t imminent, I would request an early review. Does the EHCP include any therapies?

I will, thank you

This is my 10 year old daughter too!
She's been saying it fairly consistently for the last 9months. Again I don't think she understands exactly what she's saying.
We've been through all the support available through school (Elsa sessions, CAHMs referral etc) but nothing useful has come out of it. We don't have diagnosis yet or EHCP were still fighting both.
The only thing that has seemed to of helped so far is watching/reading a Kind of Spark! An autistic author has written a book about autistic kids and it's beautiful! In it my daughter has found people like her and no longer feels alone in her struggles. She's also picked up a few coping skills from it too.
I'm also looking at a private therapist for her who specalises in ND kids, not cheap but I'll find the money one way or another as it seems paying for it is the only way to access the right support at the minute!

@Katyj83 sorry to hear your daughter has been struggling too. Keep fighting for diagnosis and EHCP. Thank you for the recommendation I will look at that x