What is ‘Project Semicolon”? This movement was started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel. The campaign aimed to increase awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma and prevent suicide.
The semicolon has become a symbol for promoting mental health, supporting those with mental illnesses, and reminding them that they are not alone.
Tattoos are often associated with mental health, but the meaning and significance of each tattoo are unique to the person who has it done.
What Does It Mean to Have a Semicolon Tattoo?
The semicolon has become synonymous with awareness of mental illness and a symbol of survival and hope for people constantly struggling with mental illnesses. The semicolon tattoo aims to raise awareness of mental health issues such as major depressive disorder and anxiety.
By getting a tattoo, you support your mental health journey and those struggling with mental issues or who have lost a loved one to suicide. This tattoo is a reminder never to give up, no matter how difficult life may be. This serves as a reminder that their life story isn’t over, and there is hope for healing, recovery, and life beyond mental challenges.
The tattoo represents a sentence that could have ended but didn’t. It is similar to the semicolon used by an author when they could have concluded a sentence but chose to continue!
What does the semicolon tattoo mean?
Tattoos can be done just for fun or for deep meaning. The semicolon has many purposes in the mental health world.
Moving Forward
The semicolon tattoo reminds us to move forward with our lives, just as we don’t stop writing sentences when we continue to write. The semicolon tattoo symbolizes someone who has been through a difficult time, had mental health problems, or self-harm. It’s a testimony to one’s journey, from almost giving up to rewriting their story.
2) Hopefulness
When we persevere, hope wins. We can feel pushed into not believing in our strengths when we suffer from depression or mental health issues. The semicolon tattoo is a way to remind people of their strength and comfort them when they are in distress. Celebrities, such as Selena Gomez, got the tattoo to honor her journey toward mental health and to celebrate this movement that promotes love, support, and empathy.
3) Eliminates stigma
As a society, we’ve built walls separating mental and physical health. A tattoo representing physical fitness gets much attention, while a mental health tattoo does not. By showing off tattoos, we encourage people to talk about mental health. This is a powerful way to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
4) Promotes a sense of community
We are urged to reach out when our mental health struggles make us feel hopeless. A single Instagram can start a discussion among survivors who want to share their personal stories. The semicolon tattoo reinforces the “we” feeling and acknowledges the community’s journey toward mental well-being.
Many people are against this symbolism, believing that it reminds them of negative aspects of their life once they take control of their own lives.
The semicolon tattoo may still inspire some people, but others have removed it to make a new start in a new phase of their life without any reminders of mental illness.
This tattoo will help you to remember essential things every day. This tattoo inspires you to rejuvenate with lots of love and positivity.
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