Brooklyn tattooist Jessica Gronow put out the word she was doing free semicolon tattoos – and got nearly 100 bookings virtually overnight.
Project Semicolon was started in 2013 by a US woman named Amy Bleuel who wanted to honour the father she lost to suicide.
A semicolon tattoo indicates a person may have struggled with depression, addiction, self-injury or suicide, and also represents a new beginning.
Ms Gronow said it signified that a person was the “author of their life”.
“And they’ve chosen to pause the sentence instead of using the full-stop and ending it,” she said.
“For me, I think it means that I feel familiar with that person or relate to that person.
“I’ve had mental health issues since I was 17, off and on. Even now, with my daughter, I’ve suffered from postnatal depression.”
In her Rogue Ink studio, she sees many sides of life, including people in grief wanting portraits of loved ones and people wanting self-harm scars covered.
“When I see the semicolon I see it as a pause,” Ms Gronow said.
“I also think it’s a symbol of bravery because they’ve gotten through it instead of caving, I suppose.”
St John Ambulance volunteer Jay Hateley went in for his semicolon tattoo last week.
“I’m suffering from depression,” he said. “I have been for a long time, but I was good at masking it for a while. I lost a friend a couple of months ago who we didn’t realise had mental health problems. Age of 33.”
“If there’s anyone out there that’s not feeling 100 per cent all together, call beyondblue, Lifeline, talk to someone.”
Mr Hateley looks like a tough Aussie battler and his arms tell the full story. They are adorned with tattoos such as a rosary-and-candle and the phrase, “Life goes on”.
“Whatever comes up, I battle on,” he said.
He also sees the semicolon as a way to support others.
“It gives a sign that if someone sees it and they know about it, OK, you’re supporting them,” he said.
“You’re giving them a virtual, ‘Hey I understand what’s going on’.”
Anyone experiencing mental health issues can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
