KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a display that runs the length of World's Fair Park, Leif Becker hopes to break barriers set by child survivors of abuse.
"Once you see these messages, there's a transition that goes through you," said Becker.
The boards shared emotional messages.
"So many different types of abuse, to neglect to loneliness to bullying, these kids are going through a lot," said Becker.
He said the act of breaking the boards is in one part a world record attempt but also symbolizes breaking the barriers the children face.
"When you're going through something traumatic. It's difficult to talk about. It's difficult to verbalize," said Becker. "But when you put a board in a child's hand and just ask them to put something on the board. So much gets revealed."
Some of the boards contain a familiar message for mental health experts.
"I'm fine. Everything's fine," reads Ken Bender, Executive Director of ChildHelp. "Kids say that to us all the time when they come into therapy."
Some of the boards, however, convey a darker reality.
Messages written by children for Childhelp
"Look at the darkness of this one. Kids live in the dark, they see one way out, but can they get there is the question they have," said Bender.
This path can lead to talks with mental health providers.
"That's the beauty of this board is our therapists are then asking them, What are we stopping? Why are we stopping and what's hurting you?" said Bender. "It opens that door to start talking to that child about that."
Experts warn the public to keep an open eye this summer.
"It's important to be able to watch for the signs, talk to your kids about it, prepare them to protect themselves," said Bender.
If you or a loved one suspect a child to be a victim of abuse, you can report cases to (877) 237-0004.