Semicolon Tattoos Offer A Sense Of Unity And Hope To Those Affected By Mental Health Problems | HuffPost Life

Why Semicolon Tattoos Are So Much More Than A Passing Trend

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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Semicolon tattoos are becoming increasingly popular - and while you might initially think it's some kind of "hipster" fashion statement, in reality it's something far more important.

A growing number of people are inking the punctuation mark onto their skin as a message of hope and a way of conveying the mental health struggles that they are trying to overcome.

Selena Gomez, who has been incredibly candid about her battle with anxiety, recently had a semicolon tattooed onto her wrist along with her co-stars from '13 Reasons Why', Alisha Boe and Tommy Dorfman.

Writing on Instagram, Dorfman said: "Today was a magical day. Another day to be grateful to be alive. Alisha, Selena, and I went together to get ; tattoos. For us, it means a beginning of another chapter in life, in lieu of ending your life. I struggled with addiction and depression issues through high school and early college. I reached out and asked for help. At the time, I thought my life was over, I thought I'd never live past the age of 21.

"Today I'm grateful to be alive, in this new chapter of life in recovery, standing with my colleagues and friends, making art that helps other people."

The tattoo trend, first initiated by Project Semicolon, encourages people to draw semicolons onto their wrists.

The organisation's website states that this is because the punctuation is used when an author "could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to".

"The author is you and the sentence is your life," the site reads.

Now, more and more people are opting to tattoo semicolons onto their skin as a symbol of hope.

The aim of the tattoos is to present hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-harm, as well as the families and friends of those who have struggled with mental health problems.

Amy Bleuel, who co-founded the project, died by suicide on March 24 2017, aged 31.

She previously told HuffPost UK Lifestyle that she launched the project to honour her father, who she lost to suicide.

"I set out to inspire others so they can know they are not alone, that their story matters," she explained.

The project aims to encourage discussion surrounding mental health, for both those suffering from mental illness, and their family and friends. And it seems to be doing just that.

Jennifer McCarty posted a picture of her tattoo on Facebook with the caption: "I lost my sister four years ago after her long battle with depression and drug addiction. This is for her."

Meanwhile Francesca Sara wrote: "I lost my husband last year, 38 years. I'm depressed and I think about suicide almost every day.

"My semicolon tattoo reminds me that, maybe, the story isn't over."

The Facts About Depression Symptoms

Negative Feelings (01 of15)

Do you have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that have lingered for at least two weeks and occur throughout the day, every day or nearly every day? Are these feelings interfering with school or work, or your relationships? This is a key symptom of clinical depression. We all have negative thoughts from time to time, and it’s natural to be sad when there is a serious event in our lives, like a death. The difference with clinical depression is that the feelings stick around and interfere with your ability to live your life day to day. (credit:Shuji Kobayashi via Getty Images)

Fatigue(02 of15)

Many people with depression find it difficult to get out of bed — and we're not just talking about hitting the snooze button. For some, getting up seems nearly impossible. They may also find themselves spending unusual amounts of time in bed throughout the day, or having trouble with normal activities because of fatigue. (credit:digitalskillet via Getty Images)

Changes In Sleeping Patterns (03 of15)

As tired as you may be, if you’re depressed you might also have trouble sleeping. Marked changes in sleeping patterns, like insomnia or increased time spent sleeping, is another symptom of clinical depression. (credit:Casarsa via Getty Images)

Changes In Appetite (04 of15)

Some people either gain or lose weight when they have clinical depression because of their change in appetite. For some, this means an increase in appetite and possibly weight gain as a result. Others lose their appetite and struggle to eat much at all. In either case, a significant change is worth investigating. (credit:Sami Sarkis via Getty Images)

Loss Of Interest In Fun Activities (05 of15)

We all have times when we feel a bit more introverted than usual, but when people have clinical depression, they can lose the sense of pleasure they used to get from their favourite activities or from engaging with others. This isolation can make it harder for friends and loved ones to see the other symptoms of depression a person may be exhibiting, which makes it more difficult to know when a person needs help. (credit:David Ryle via Getty Images)

Difficulty Concentrating (06 of15)

It’s more often thought of as a symptom of ADHD, but an inability to concentrate or hold focus on one’s activities can be a sign of clinical depression. Of course, if someone with clinical depression is also having trouble sleeping, not eating well or has lost interest in regular activities, this symptom can be amplified. (credit:kieferpix via Getty Images)

Suicidal Thoughts (07 of15)

This is the most serious symptom of depression, says Dr. Joe Taravella, a psychologist and the supervisor of Rusk’s Pediatric Psychology Service at NYU-Langone Medical Center in New York. “When you’re severely depressed, suicidal thoughts can become so prominent, you begin to make a plan for ending your life, as you feel there are no other options.” If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek help or tell a trusted person in your life and ask for help — call your doctor, call 911, or go to an emergency room. And never assume that a person who talks about suicide won’t do it. If someone tells you they are feeling suicidal or discusses plans to end their life, always take it seriously and get help. (credit:AlexRaths via Getty Images)

Chronic Irritability (08 of15)

“Many people don’t realize that low levels of chronic irritability and anger can mask an underlying depression,” Taravella says, “which can be undiagnosed and untreated for years.” A study released last year found that more than half of men and women who were experiencing a major depressive episode reported irritability as a symptom. Constant irritability is also a symptom of depression seen in teenagers and children, one that could be written off as normal growing pains or teenage behaviour. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)

Physical Pain(09 of15)

Yes, depression can literally hurt. There is increasing recognition of the physical symptoms of depression, which include headaches, stomach pain, and back pain. One study found half of patients with depression from around the world reported unexplained physical symptoms. But because these physical symptoms are often vague or have no logical explanation, they can be missed as as symptom of depression. (credit:JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

Lack Of Daily Hygiene (10 of15)

For people with severe depression, basic tasks of self care can seem too overwhelming to undertake, Taravella says. As well, personal hygiene may seem unimportant if you are feeling hopeless or worthless. If someone in your life is showing a marked decrease in personal hygiene, don’t assume they are simply lazy. (credit:Canonzoom via Getty Images)

Memory Problems (11 of15)

Going along with trouble with concentration, people with clinical depression often have memory issues that can add to their difficulties in maintaining day-to-day activities. “As a result of these symptoms, they are more likely to become inattentive to their environment and prone to falls and injuries,” he adds. A 2013 study found that this could be because clinical depression impairs the process of “pattern separation,” which is the ability to distinguish between things and experiences that are similar. (credit:Simon Winnall via Getty Images)

Harmful Activities (12 of15)

Some people who show signs of depression engage in what Taravella refers to as “externalizing behaviours,” which include substance abuse and risk-taking activities. Men are more likely to do it, he says. These behaviours can be a sign of an underlying mental-health problem, particularly if they’re out of the ordinary for the individual. (credit:Daniel Grizelj via Getty Images)

If You Think You Have Symptoms Of Depression (13 of15)

“If you recognize symptoms of depression, take action and immediately seek professional help,” Taravella advises. There are valuable resources out there, he says, including psychotherapy and antidepressants. Many people also find some relief with meditation and exercise, often in conjunction with other treatments. It can be difficult to navigate the process of finding the right help, especially if you are having trouble just getting out of bed. Try talking to a trusted friend or family member who can help you research options and even call a therapist for you. (credit:Paul Bradbury via Getty Images)

Once You Start Your Treatment(14 of15)

It can take time for depression treatments to start making a difference, which is frustrating when you've taken the difficult step of admitting you need help. But while you work on medication and/or therapy, there are things you can do. Be as active as you can, Taravella says, and try to see friends. “Create small goals for yourself each week but don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself,” he suggests. While it can take time for depression symptoms to begin to lift, it may be worth seeking different treatment options if you are not seeing any improvement after two months. (credit:moodboard via Getty Images)

How To Help Someone With Depression (15 of15)

“The best way to help someone who is depressed is to be a constant source of support for them,” Taravella says. This can sometimes be difficult, however, because people with depression tend to isolate themselves despite your efforts to stay in touch and/or get involved. You may also be able to help someone by making a doctor’s appointment for them. It’s a simple task to request an appointment, but for someone who is severely depressed it can seem incredibly daunting. (credit:PeopleImages.com via Getty Images)

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