many ppl cut for many different reasons....its just one of those things that is deeply personal. Id say most of the time cutting is a coping mechanism. Ppl tend to cut anywhere they can cover it up....most frequent places are arms and legs but i have personally cut on my stomach and sides. Not everyone who cuts is suicidal but there is a possibility that he is on that path. I highly doubt that he did this to brag, im sure he was reaching out for help....if you feel comfortable approaching him, then i would do so, but i just wouldnt come straight out and ask if he is a cutter because im sure he would get defensive. Just see if anything is wrong or if there is anything he wants to talk about that is upsetting him. Baby steps is the key

there is a good book that are would b helpful for u. It's called "cutting: Understanding and and Overcoming Self-Mutilation" by steven levenkron

A person cuts to relieve an extreme emotion, usually like sadness or anger. when you cut, it releases endorphins ( i think thats the right word, ha) to replace the feeling they had. it makes you feel like you can sigh and feel relieved. people cut anywhere. what's common is arms. thighs are easy to hide so thats what i prefer. if you don't notice any marks on him, they could be hiding. you said that he seems happy. some people, like myself put on an act, like when i'm at home. but usually when i'm around people i'm doing awesome. it's usually when i get lonely,when i get down. i'm not really sure on how to confront. he might be embarrased at first or angry when first reacting but since he told your son, i think that he needs somebody to talk to or help. i dont think he's bragging at all. people usually self injure to deal with feelings of suicide, so they don't. sometimes it's just to deal with bad feelings. i think he'll be glad though if you approach him about it. good luck

If you really feel he is cutting and want to know for sure take him to a public pool. If he gets really upset about not going in the water or winces when he does then you know he is cutting. The clorine in the pool really stings.

People cut to release emotional pain.

Whatever the situation seems, he is not happy.

Good self injury therapist would be able to confront him better than you. All you have to do is get him there.

well, honestly we Self injure to relieve internal pain, it is a release. i personally self injur on my arms legs, stomache and anywhere else i can. the longer you go in SI the less uncut skin you have. JUST DONT JUDGE HIM!!! be helpful and supportive not judgemental. you will only push him away. and not SI is not a step towards suicide. thants not the aim, but it is a sign of depression which can lead to suicidal behavior.

cutting helps relieve extreame feelings, usually of sadness or anger, but it can be anythiing. personally, i cut from anxiety. do you know if your son has any pre-existing issues such as anxiety? it may be a factor.

like everyone else has said, the most common place to cut are the arms and legs. its not the step before suicide, but its a sign of depression, which could lead to suicidal thoughts.

confrontation about cutting is hard. finding information about it is a great first step. avoid judgement at all costs. when my mom confronted me she kept asking questions about what i used, and the last time i did it, and how bad the cuts were. questions i guess a parent would want to know, but i don't think they should be the first asked...it made it feel too clinical, like she didn't really care WHY i did it. find that out first. maybe ask him what triggers his cutting, and encourage him to come to you or someone else he trusts when he starts feeling like that, since cutting may be the only way he knows to deal with it.