The forget-me-not floral design by celebrity tattoo artist Rebecca Vincent has been unveiled by the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBs) charity.
Nineteen tattoo studios across the UK, from London to Leeds, have signed up to participate, offering slots to those wanting to remember a loved one through ink.
The ‘Ink Memorandum’ initiative is to mark International Survivors of Suicide Loss Awareness Day on Saturday, November 18.
Recognizing that tattoos are an essential part of the grieving process, as agreed by over half (59%) of the SoBs network, the charity partnered with tattoo guru Rebecca, whose design represents the experience of being impacted by loss through suicide.
Her work is inspired by the popular semicolon tattoo design, used as a way to visually represent the experience of being affected by suicide and show solidarity, alongside acknowledging other mental health issues such as depression.
Although this resonates with some, almost a third (30%) felt the design wasn’t representative, with 59% agreeing they’d be open to a refreshed take on the design.
Rebecca’s new tattoo sees one forget-me-not stem cut short as a signifier of a loved one’s departure, while the second botanical sees a stem that has continued to grow, as survivors do over time.
Those eligible for a commemorative tattoo can opt for a date or name of their choosing or be one of the first to have the new design from Rebecca. While tattoos are free, the public is encouraged to donate what they can via the SoBS website.
Rebecca said: “It’s been a real privilege to be a part of this project. The cause is very close to my heart, so I was honored to be involved.
“When rethinking the semicolon, forget-me-nots felt like a natural choice when exploring a botanical redesign. The semicolon represents struggle and forget-me-nots, treasuring memories, and growing beyond grief. This artwork ultimately tributes to lost loved ones and symbolizes hope for those bereaved.”
SoBs is the UK’s only national peer-to-peer charity dedicated to those impacted by the death of someone by suicide.
The launch comes as part of SoB’s broader purpose to increase visibility on support and resources available for those affected by suicide, as over a fifth (22%) of the nation have been impacted by loss in this way, and 1 in 4 said they found themselves in a position where they were not able to access support.
Lesley Rose, CEO at SoBS, commented: “Despite so many being impacted by suicide, our research found that over a third (38%) admitted to never seeking help and, of all the types of grief, suicide is the one they felt most uncomfortable talking about (37%).
“This drives our mission, working to support those left behind and provide a vital service to positively impact the lives of those struggling to deal with loss, giving them a safe space to share their experience and express their grief.”
Of those with a commemorative tattoo, 43% shared that they felt comforted by it as a way of carrying their lost loved one wherever they went.
Multiple tattoo studios across the UK, including those based in Brighton, London, and Leeds, have signed up to back the cause, joining SoBs’ mission to raise awareness of the importance of supporting survivors of bereavement by suicide.
Those eligible can choose from the below studios and contact them directly to enquire about bookings for November 18.
- Inkin Studioz, London
- Matt Stopps Tattoo, London
- Ushuaia, London
- Three Kings, London
- Underground Tattoos, Watford
- Underground Tattoos, Stevenage
- Underground Tattoos, Endfield
- Vaudeville, Sheffield
- Semper, Edinburgh
- Drawn and Quartered, Canterbury
- dead slow, Brighton
- Studio Baby, Brighton
- Release the Kraken, Brighton
- Foxy Ink, Bristol
- Karma, Leeds
- Namaste Tattoo, Hull
- Charlotte Bolton, Sheffield
Lesley Rose added: “Dealing with grief can come in varying forms and, for many, a tattoo is a meaningful way to honor the memory of someone who has passed. We’ve seen this in our community and wanted to acknowledge November 18 by offering this opportunity to people across the UK who may resonate with it.”
For further information, or if you have been affected by this topic, please visit https://uksobs.org/. You can also find out if a SoBS support group is near you so you can access the help you need from local volunteers.