Tattooing for a cause: “Project Semicolon” helps mental health

A dot and a comma. Separately, those two things might not mean much to a person. But when put together into a semicolon tattoo, it holds a lot of meaning for many people.

An online trend called “Project Semicolon” has turned a punctuation mark into a popular design.

“Project Semicolon” is a non-profit movement started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel, who lost her father to suicide. She wanted to promote awareness and support for mental health and those struggling with it. It’s a way to inspire those to keep going, show them that there is help. Though the movement was started in 2013, it’s still gaining momentum and attention in 2016.

While any tattoo shop could do a semicolon tattoo, only some shops are participating in the fundraiser aspect of “Project Semicolon.”

One of those shops is “From the Ashes” tattoo shop in Pocatello. The shop has seen a lot of designs, but the semicolon has become one of its most meaningful.

The symbolism behind using a semicolon for mental health is continuance. Just like a semicolon doesn’t end a sentence in grammar, a semicolon tattoo is meant to remind people not to end their lives. According to “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.” “Don’t let your sentence end.”

Bleuel writes that it’s a physical representation of personal strength in the face of an internal struggle.

Tracy Eastman, a tattoo artist at “From the Ashes,” had never heard of the project until last year when someone asked him abut doing a tattoo for it.

So he started researching what it was all about and decided it was a project he wanted to be a part of.

“It just spoke to me,” Eastman said. “My mom had a lot of mental health issues growing up and I have a lot of friends who are vets here and there’s a high suicide rate among vets. Plus, Idaho just has one of the highest suicide rates in the country so it felt like something I could really get behind.”

“From the Ashes” donates half of the cost of the semicolon tattoos to the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. The cost of a semicolon tattoo is $40, so $20 of every semicolon is given to the hotline. Eastman said last year he did a lot of tattoos and made a pretty good contribution.

“Last year we did well over 100 of them,” he said. “We ended up raising a little over $3,200. It makes us feel really good to be able to help out in some way.”

Eastman said his favorite part is hearing everyone’s stories. He said that gives the tattoo even more meaning.

Many people have posted pictures of their semicolon tattoos online. Many have had theirs customized, but no matter the design, the meaning stays the same.

Eastman said it’s a great cause and he’s glad to be a part of it any way he can.

“I think it’s a great way to bring awareness about mental health issues and suicide,” he said. “All of us that are here have friends that committed suicide or have dealt with mental health issues and so it’s a great way to help raise awareness to the general community.”

“From the Ashes” will continue doing the fundraiser through Oct. 15. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.

For more information on “Project Semicolon,” or to read people’s stories, go to the project’s website. The project also has a Facebook page.