(Please excuse my English)
So first of all, this isn't about me. i have a 10 year old cousin who told me a few times that he's depressed and suicidal. He never shows his symptoms in front of others, his parents don't seem to notice anything, and people are pretty used to his self-deprecating jokes to take them seriously. In fact, most of my family doesn't believe in depression. Recently i caught him crying alone. We talked for a while, i kept him company. He's been following me ever since. i'm not good with kids, and i'm certainly not the best at talking or comforting others. But for some reason he really makes me want to take care of him. it's weird, i've never felt that way before. i don't know much about depression and suicide among children so i'm not sure how to help him. His parents will clearly never take him to a psychiatrist. But to be honest, i don't think it's what he really needs. It seems that he's lonely, his way of thinking is different than your average 10 year old's, so forcing meaningless friendships is pointless. i don't want to give him false hope that i'll always be around, since he keeps clinging on to me. Does anyone have any ideas how i can help him?

It is SO important if he is depressed that you are there for him! Have you tried talking to his parents?

i was planning to speak to his mother. But i'm afraid i'll lose his trust if i do that, since he only opened up to me and no one else. If i manage to somehow convince him to talk to his parents about his depression maybe that'll help in some way. But i fear that i'll come across as too forceful.

Try to figure out why he chose you to open up to. Like exactly how did you confront him when you saw him crying. Also let him be alone for a part of his day and try to watch him to make sure he stays safe. He might want to be by himself for patches of time. It might give him time to think of the positives or negatives in his life. That could sway him either for good or for bad. But prioritize making sure he's safe and healthy.

Talk to him first, there might be a reason he hasn't come to his parents first. After evaluating the situation he's presented, make sure he is okay with you speaking to his parents. You're right, you don't want to make him lose his trust in you if you're the only one he's opened up to so far.

If he doesn't have a valid reason for not going to his parents sit down and talk with him about getting help. Make sure he knows it's not a demand, but a request. He has every right to refuse and he has every right to change his mind about it. Make sure he knows you want to tell because you care and you want to make him feel better.