Human Service Issue - Social Problem - Self-Harm

     Human Service Issue - Social Problem - Self-Harm
By: Jake E. Kohl

     Deliberate self-harm (cutting) is just one of many human service issues that causes social problems. While there are many forms of self-harm, for time’s sake, this will only include the self-harm act of cutting. In Mark 5:5, Mark writes, “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones” (NKJV). This particular passage give reference to the issue of deliberate self-harm. The Bible states that the reasoning behind the man cutting was demon possession (v2), but is this true with those who cut themselves today?

     According to Martin (2014), self-harm is a difficult issue to treat because little is known about its causes. In addition, this type of behavior is resistant to treatment (p. 130). While this behavior is seen mostly by female adolescence in the human service profession, this behavior is also reported in males and even in adults – though less. The reason that human services may not see a balance in gender/age, may be due to the stigma placed on males as being more mentally strong, or macho. It would seem that the issue being brought out into the open from a male may also imply a role of shame and/or embarrassment the male would face if the individual would expose this issue.  

Given the diverse and broad roles and characteristics of the human service professional, it is likely that human service professionals will encounter a client who harms him/herself. Human service professionals additionally may be the first point of contact for the client as a caseworker, residential staff member, intake interviewer, child advocate, or as another front-line position (Craigen, 2008, Martin, 2014). Nonetheless, self-harm is a real and serious issue that needs addressed by both genders and by all ages.

     The possible causes for this social problem are reported within the realms of internal and external factors. Martin (2014), says that self-injury can relate to internal expressions such as, rage, anger, frustration, despair, and loneness. The internal expressions are generally an expression towards the self-harmer. These feelings are not just your average emotions, but are a deep passionate rage, anger, frustration, etc. Other reasons include feelings of intense shame, especially those who have been sexually abused (Martin, 2014). Self-harm is generally associated around internal factors but there are a few external factors that need addressed as well.

     External factors can include relationship stress, parental divorce/separation, and even bullying to name several. According to Beinart, Kennedy, & Llewelyn (2009), they say regarding Mark Williams’ ‘Cry of Pain’ model; external factors such as the ones listed postulates that self-harm occurs when individuals feel defeated by external factors (p. 75). External factors such as bullying can create self-esteem issues, as well as feelings of hopelessness and defeat. These factors in turn, transform into internal factors that result in self-harm behavior.

     Being able to control impulse and regulate emotions are important in a successful treatment plan (Martin, 2014, p. 131). 1 Thessalonians 4:4 tells us “that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (NIV). So in this reference, did the man in the mountains and in the tombs learn to control his own body so it was honoring to God? In this particular instance, no, he did not. So what about today? Are people who self-injure, demon possessed?

     After looking at different references within the Bible and references within the scope of human services and mental health; because someone who may self-harm, does not necessarily mean that they are demon possessed and some form of exorcism is needed. It however, means that we can have demonic influence and/or nature. Nature being defined as, being characteristic of – influence being defined as, the power to produce effects, or being in a position to indirectly sway or affect. Self-injury is not God-given, and very well could be a tipping influence of demonic reality.    

   

References

Beinart, H., Kennedy, P., & Llewelyn, S. P. (2009). Clinical psychology in practice. Chichester, UK: BPS Blackwell.

Craigen, L. (2008). Working with self-injury: Ten guidelines for human service professionals. Human Service Education, 27(1), 132-142.

Martin, M. (2014). Introduction to Human Services: Through the eyes of practice settings. 3rd. Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.