You may have noticed that more and more people are getting tattoos of semicolons. It may look like a simple stop mark at first glance, but for those who wear it, it means a great deal.
Amy Bleuel started the push for semicolon tattoos. She is the founder of Project Semicolon, a non-profit group that raises awareness about mental health. In 2013, Bleuel talked about how she had dealt with sadness, addiction, and hurting herself.
Bleuel saw a strong message in the semicolon: “My story isn’t over yet.” This easy-to-read punctuation mark shows that a sentence could have finished, but didn’t. Instead, it keeps going, which is a metaphor for the strength of people who have faced darkness and decided to keep going.
The semicolon tattoo has become a sign of hope for people who are having trouble with
Disorders of the mind, like sadness and anxiety
Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Cutting oneself and having suicide thoughts
Abuse and PTSD
People who wear this sign say that their story is still going on, that they have survived, and that they will continue to fight. What the tattoo is used for
A lesson to be strong and keep going
A talk starter that breaks down mental health stigmas
A sign of unity that brings together people who have been through similar problems
The spread of semicolons has
Encouraged tens of thousands of people to share their stories and get help
Made more people aware of services and tools for mental health
Built a group of empathy and understanding
Take note of these things if you see someone with a semicolon tattoo:
It’s not over yet for them.
They have faced darkness and made the choice to keep going.
They are tough, strong, and deserving of help.
The tattoo of a semicolon is more than just a design; it’s a reminder of how strong, hopeful, and resilient people can be.
By understanding what this tattoo means, we can:
Talking about mental health should be easy.
Help people who are having a hard time.
Honour the courage of people who have been through hard times.
Everyone who sees the semicolon story is filled with hope and strength.
