Are there any safe antidepressants for a 10 year old to start on? using ritalin 10mg once daily for add.

Depends: School age kids may benefit from anti-depressants when they are closely monitored by those trained in their use. In the US only a few are considered safe in this age group. Primary care docs generally refer the cases to psychiatrists who have the most experience with monitoring med use, especially when other meds/conditions are already under treatment.