Some boys paint themselves into corners very easily. They convince themselves that they are trapped. Maybe people who kill themselves do so because they think that it’s the only option left.
So for instance, when he’s had a fight with his best friend, your son needs to know that there are quite a few choices available to him. It’s worth taking your time to make this clear. He can never speak to his friend again, he can bash him over the head with a baseball bat, he can call in a mediator, he can tell his friend how he feels about the argument, he can apologise, he can write his friend a note or send him an email, he can suggest ‘new rules’ to his friend that might reduce future conflicts . . .