Blue Jim, you have legal rights if you are named as the biological father on your child's birth certificate
Bluejim I'm so sorry for your distress at the moment, but THERE IS HOPE. Firstly your child. When I'm not working I volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau. I come across your situation a lot. I will enclose a link I want you to look at. Read carefully buddy as it's very informative. It touches on all aspects of parental responsibility and you will find it very informative. If you are named as the biological father on the birth certificate you have rights to access, to be part of the decision making process in ALL the important aspects of your child's life, including health, education and other important milestones. These rights cannot be denied you by your wife by law, as long as you are a caring responsible parent. In short, if you can't sort out things like access with your wife, then IT WILL be up to the Judge to make that decision. But there is a pre requisite BEFORE a judge gets involved. You MUST HAVE ATTENDED OR TRIED TO ATTEND mediation before it gets to the Court. He / she will take into consideration your personal situation prior to making a decision on access etc but rightly, the child's needs will ALWAYS come first.
As I say, click the link and have a good read because as biological father documented on the birth certificate, YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS, regardless of what your partner may or may not say.
As for your mental health my friend, you feel powerless and hopeless and you THINK you have no contro over the situation but believe me you do. It is perfectly understandable your feeling desperate. The above issues I've alluded to will hopefully, offer you some hope. None the less as others have mentioned, your son needs his father, YOU. Yes it's extremely painfull but you MUST look at the picture hollistically. I'm sure your a loving caring dad and your son needs you around. Visit your GP if you haven't already, they may prescribe medication which may take the edge of things for you. Sorround yourself with people who care and love you, and who will listen. There are excellent Organisations like Children Need Father's, and they are easily accessed via the net etc. If it ever gets to the point that your thinking seriously about killing yourself, call the police. They will attend and get in touch with mental health services. You can also attend the local A / E and tell them how your feeling.
I strongly suspect Blue your mental health will begin to improve somewhat if you have some hope to cling to, and I assure you, there is hope. Share your problems Blue, talk to people, there are lots of people ready to give you the support you need, but they need to know your struggling fella. The World's a better p!ace with you around, your son needs you around and I'm sure he's a fine young boy who's certainly worth fighting for. Do whatever you can to keep yourself safe, to give yourself some options and make sure that those who love and care for you, know your struggling. If you want to DM me, I will respond as soon as I can. Take care fella and all the best.
Who has parental responsibility for looking after children, and how to apply for parental responsibility if you were unmarried to the mother or are not on the birth certificate
www.gov.uk