Concerns regarding my son's mental health, information and advice welcome

Thanks for the replies.

There is a lot in what you have said that what I see in him and his experiences up till now.

At school, yes I believe my son has experienced levels of bullying from both pupils/peers and staff and yes this could be impacting on him. He often wonders the corridors or locks himself in a toilet cubicle with his headphones in, shutting the world out.

He disclosed, last year, he and his group of “friends”, had witnessed an incident not involving them. An unknown male had chased them with a knife, pointing it at the group. This was reported to the police, sadly despite us chasing this up, nothing ever came of the report.

We are aware he has been coerced by “friends” into a fight, which was filmed put on to face book. With his supposed friends baying him on to fight (heartbreaking).

Again through “friends” became involved with a group, who we found out were into substance misuse (smoking and selling) and carrying knives.

He started another “friendship group”, again it wasn’t the best choice. The original friend had introduced him to others, in turn it lead to him hanging around a known area for drug dealing/exploitation.

We have managed to enable him to see, these “friendships” are not the best for him. We are constantly monitoring who he is with, where he is going, picking up and dropping off, discussing our concerns in relation to “friends”.

Having said that, we are seeing his moods dip and since the start of what we have seen as the first depressive episode (Nov 14). The pattern seems to be around every 4 weeks. After his low mood comes and uplifted mood (but euphoric) talking of being an inspirational speaker and the best game designer.

There is a definite struggle with his emotions, on what and how to display them in an effective manner. He is talking a lot lately of feeling angrier with what he sees as un fairness.  

Yes it worries us, he is hearing up to 6 voices telling him to harm others. He discussed taking sharp objects, knife, compass etc. When emptying his blazer pockets I found a school compass, it could be that he feels the threat is at school and that is where he feels most vulnerable.     

Thanks for the replies.

There is a lot in what you have said that what I see in him and his experiences up till now.

At school, yes I believe my son has experienced levels of bullying from both pupils/peers and staff and yes this could be impacting on him. He often wonders the corridors or locks himself in a toilet cubicle with his headphones in, shutting the world out.

He disclosed, last year, he and his group of “friends”, had witnessed an incident not involving them. An unknown male had chased them with a knife, pointing it at the group. This was reported to the police, sadly despite us chasing this up, nothing ever came of the report.

We are aware he has been coerced by “friends” into a fight, which was filmed put on to face book. With his supposed friends baying him on to fight (heartbreaking).

Again through “friends” became involved with a group, who we found out were into substance misuse (smoking and selling) and carrying knives.

He started another “friendship group”, again it wasn’t the best choice. The original friend had introduced him to others, in turn it lead to him hanging around a known area for drug dealing/exploitation.

We have managed to enable him to see, these “friendships” are not the best for him. We are constantly monitoring who he is with, where he is going, picking up and dropping off, discussing our concerns in relation to “friends”.

Having said that, we are seeing his moods dip and since the start of what we have seen as the first depressive episode (Nov 14). The pattern seems to be around every 4 weeks. After his low mood comes and uplifted mood (but euphoric) talking of being an inspirational speaker and the best game designer.

There is a definite struggle with his emotions, on what and how to display them in an effective manner. He is talking a lot lately of feeling angrier with what he sees as un fairness.  

Yes it worries us, he is hearing up to 6 voices telling him to harm others. He discussed taking sharp objects, knife, compass etc. When emptying his blazer pockets I found a school compass, it could be that he feels the threat is at school and that is where he feels most vulnerable.