Barriers Quote by Steven Levenkron
“Self-mutilation is a frightening barrier that keeps us from seeing a person who is lost, in pain, and in desperate need of help.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Best Little Girl in the World, 1971
Self-harm creates a barrier that hides a person's deep pain, preventing others from recognizing their need for help.
In simple terms: Self-harm masks suffering.
Key Takeaway
Seek to understand hidden pain.
Themes
mental health
self-harm
empathy
Mood
somber
compassionate
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- support groups
- family discussions
Key Concepts
psychology
trauma
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you safely support someone self-harming?
- What signs indicate hidden distress?
A Different Perspective
Recovery requires confronting the barrier directly.
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![“She lay on her back and walked her fingers down her ribs, skipped them over her abdomen, and landed on her pelvic bones. She tapped them with her Knuckles. [. . .] I can hear my bones, she thought. Her fingers moved up from her pelvic bones to her waist. The elastic of her underpants barely…” quote by Steven Levenkron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b68/steven-levenkron-30080_abdomen_she-lay-on-her-back-and-walked-her-finge_1465977.jpg)
