*Sarah's son Wellington mum Sarah's 12-year-old son had experienced behavioural issues, anger, depression and anxiety from a very young age. Sarah, not her real name, had her son getting private treatment but about eight months ago his symptoms got much worse. “He was very down, very flat, lying in his room most of the time, stopped wanting to hang out with his friends. “And then, in February, he actually expressed some suicidal thoughts.” Gray/Unsplash A Wellington youth mental health service has been operating at about half capacity at times this year after many staff left, some due to stress and overwork (file photo).