You may have seen many semicolon tattoos on the internet recently. The reason why is all because of Project Semicolon.
Project Semicolon is a non-profit organisation that encourages people to draw (or tattoo) semicolons on their bodies as a way to raise awareness for, represent and support those dealing with mental illness, depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury.
The project was started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel who wanted to honour her father, whom she lost to suicide in 2003. In an interview, Bleuel explained: “I started it to honour my father and to tell my story of my struggle with mental illness. I wanted 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,” she said.
According to a statement on Project Semicolon’s website, “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.”
Bleuel started the conversation, and it continues today with people taking and sharing pics of their tattoos and drawings on social media with the hashtag #projectsemicolon or #semicolonproject.
