I think it is a good idea that you are going to talk to him about it.
I don't think depression in teens is normal, I think it has become
the acceptable thing these days, as has cutting. You would be
surprised how many teens cut.
Most teens cut as a coping method, they don't know how else to
cope with the feelings going on.
It's typical in a family for the father who does not know what to do
to "Yell" at their kid and think they can yell them out of their self
harm, depression etc. especially using words such as worthless and
weak, when what they are actually doing is validating the feelings
the teen already has about themselves.
One of the reasons for cutting is because it takes away those feelings,
for just a little bit. The cutting actually produces endorphins, which
eventually becomes addicting, and becomes the way that they cope
with everything.
In my experience with myself and the thousands of kids I've talked to
over the years this Will Not go away on it's own usually, unless they
get some help or talk to someone about it. There are some kids
who do stop, but not usually. Until they learn new ways to cope,
the behaviors do not stop. But once they do learn, then the cutting
does eventually stop. But it is not something you can take 'away from
them' or yell them out of scare, scare them out of, etc....
I think it's great you are pressing this issue! Good for you.
I found this article I have that you may want to print and show to his
Dad before he talks to him.
If it were my husband I would be firm and point blank. He can be a
teen who gets help with the support of his family, or he can be a 30 year
old who is still cutting and still trying to solve this problem.
Why not try and help him now.
One of the scariest things in the world to a teen is to be addicted to
"cutting yourself". Don't think he doesn't know it's wrong, or thåt he
doesn' t feel like a freak. If he knew how to stop he wouldn't have
scars all over his chest.
And the sad thing is, he will have the scars for the rest of his life.
They do fade over time, but they are still there, even long after you've
stopped.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Just my opinions and experience in here btw...