Negative thinking or Depression in 10 year old son?

My son is 10 years old and is very negative in his thoughts and seems to have very low self esteem/confidence.  I'm not sure if this is a phase or if it's depression kicking in as both myself and his dad have been treated for depression in the past.

For the first year ever he does not like his teacher in school and is finding it increasingly difficult to face, he just seems to have a 'I'm no good at anything and I'll fail anyway' attitude towards everything at the moment regardless of how much praise, love and affection we show him.  He has said to me more than once that he wishes he was dead, which is obviously very very upsetting and worrying to hear, I'm not sure what to do, do I bring him to a doctor or a child psychologist or what?

I'm really concerned that this might be depression or is this something that other children go through at this age?

Any advise welcome thanks.....

[jdtm]

or if it's depression kicking in as both myself and his dad have been treated for depression in the past.  --  your words

Mental health issues can and often are genetic.  I doubt if this is a phase.  As always, I believe the first line of contact is the family doctor.  By the way, I have a 10-year old grandson and he does not act this way.  But - his sister did at six years of age and she was diagnosed with depresssion and severe anxiety.  I wish you the best ...

[soosmoo]

Thanks, you've just re-affirmed what I've suspected to be honest and I'm bringing him to the Doc this eve.

I'm just wondering if the diagnosis of your Grandaughter's depression/anxiety was a lenghty process that involved a Psychologist/Psychiatrist or was their GP able to reach the diagnosis independently?

Also, was it treated with medication or cognitive therapy?

[jdtm]

The diagnosis was by a Child Psychiatrist - it wasn't lengthy; the GP gave a referral to the specialist and marked it "urgent".  It took less than one month.  

In our case, the depression was co-morbid with the anxiety; treat the anxiety and the depression disappears.  Intervention was the first step but the anxiety was so severe little headway was made, thus medication was used to allow our granddaughter to be able to "use" the intervention and then, therapy.  By the way, the parents did the work; the psychiatrist/therapist set out a plan of intervention and therapy techniques which they followed.  In our area, CBT is not used until the child about 10 years of age (our granddaughter had art therapy).  All the best today ....

[soosmoo]

I've just been with our GP, who has advised a Child Psych and has made a referral, so the ball is rolling and we will do WHATEVER it takes to sort this.....

Thanks again for your invaluable advise, best of luck to you too, sounds like you've done a great job!