I would say try it for a year, see how it goes and if it's worth continuing. You do not need to have a support group to have social opportunities. If he has even one friend from school, make sure they have frequent contact. Surely there are other social things in your town? Even if not, you make every possible available social activity one in which you prepare him for it so that it all goes smoothly.

In the end, which would you say is worse: living with depression for years, potentially leading to suicide or some other violent activity, or *potentially* having his social skills suffer? (btw, do you really think he's going to lose ALL social skills if he had to be at home with you and could only interact with you? Does that make any sense at all?)

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