The paths offered to a hurt soul : helping young people who self-harm

Abstract

There are various definitions used worldwide to describe the phenomena ‘Self-harm’. Nevertheless, common aspects are presented which relate to the reasons, precipitating factors, methods and tools used, warning signs as well as the affects and help after the self-harming acts are done. The helping professionals differ in the treatment and interventions used according to profession and setting. Working with young people who self-harm, bring about various challenges and dilemmas to the helping professional which brings about different needs. The dissertation explores the above with five different helping professionals in Malta: a teacher, a counsellor, a social worker, a psychologist and a psychiatrist. From the results of the interviews the following four main themes were explored: the procedures of work, the relationship with clients, the effect on the professionals and the care for oneself. There is emphasis on the intensity of working with young people who self-harm as well as the different ways of working with such clients depending on the background of the professional and the work setting. The interviewed helping professionals pointed out the need to be supported in their work and to care for their professional and personal aspect, emphasising the need to balance work with leisure. Also the need for more knowledge and awareness provided to different professionals in different settings on self-harm and its implications was felt as a local need.