What does it mean when you partner wants space?

[G]

"He wants to work it out but he needs space and time" = pushing him to talk isn't giving him the space he feels he needs and apparently now is not the time. I suggest backing off and letting him contact you when he feels he is ready. Until then there's nothing you can really do without making it worse.

Stop checking to see who he's adding and stop talking about him to mutual friends. All that will do is torture you. MAYBE contact him once or twice a week, let him know you're thinking of him, ask if there's anything you can do to help with his parents. Not every day and certainly not pushing for "discussions" when he obviously has other things on his mind. Some people do withdraw when under enormous stress, and he may be one of those people. Please just give him room to do what he needs to do and don't force him to cut you off completely because he feels he has no other choice.