Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
It turns out there's a very meaningful reason behind the popular tattoo choice of a semicolon.
It's a completely personal choice of whether or not the tattoos you get have any deep-rooted meaning or are just entirely random, but it's quite common to learn there's a moving story that relates back to it.
You are likely to have seen a semicolon tattoo before, and it conveys a very moving message.
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The movement began in 2013 and semicolons are tattooed in order to symbolise hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, or addiction.
They are a form of encouragement to keep living life and are a symbol of solidarity between people struggling with mental health, or grieving somebody who died by suicide.
Project Semicolon was created by Amy Bleuel in 2013 as a tribute to her dad, who died in 2003 as a result of suicide.
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Bleuel also died by suicide in 2017.
Refinery29 reports that the website once declared: "A semicolon 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 tattoo has been opted for by stars such as Selena Gomez and Tommy Dorfman.
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Before she passed away, Bluel told USA Today: "I started [Project Semicolon] to honour my father and to tell my story of my struggle with mental illness.
"I wanted to tell my story to inspire others to tell their story. I wanted to start a conversation that can't be stopped, a conversation about mental illness and suicide so we can address it and lower those rates."
Despite the tragic loss of Bleuel, many people still opt to get semicolons tattooed as a result of what she created.
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Website Semicolon Tattoo states: "A semicolon tattoo represents mental health awareness, resilience, and the strength to keep going. It’s a powerful and meaningful choice for those who wear it."
They also suggest a variety of ways in which a semicolon tattoo can be personalised to your own liking, like playing around with designs such as butterflies, hearts and the sun.
The Project Semicolon website remembers Bluel as stating: "People want to know they’re not suffering in silence, you feel alone like no one cares, to know someone is there, that is what these people go forth with, they take this energy to better themselves.
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"I think it’s just opening the minds of society. I would hope through my stories and platforms that they would see these are everyday people, just like you, and they’re attempting to make their lives better, but here is what they struggle with.
“I wanted to start a conversation that can’t be stopped, and I believe I’ve done that.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Topics: Health, Mental Health, Tattoos
Kya Buller