Tattoos are a form of body art to express oneself. Sometimes a person gets inked just because they can, but sometimes a person will get a tattoo for something deeper.
Amy Bleuel decided to get inked in 2013. The design she picked was quite peculiar—a semicolon. The simple design carried a very deep meaning. She decided that the semicolon was the perfect design as a tribute to her father, who committed suicide because of depression, and her own bouts of the illness. She reasoned, “The semicolon was chosen because in literature, a semicolon is used when an author chooses to not end a sentence. You are the author, and the sentence is your life. You are choosing to continue.”
Bleuel stated that her Project Semicolon does not requires its supporters to get a tattoo, but she asked them to draw, using a pen, a semicolon on their wrists.
The project has now spread, and its influence is getting stronger than ever. The Project Semicolon, which is described by its supporters as “a faith-based nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury,” does not provide mental health services. But they aim to give inspiration to those who are suffering from depression and similar mental illnesses.
Over the years, the Project Semicolon has grown from a person honoring her father to thousands of people including musicians and other luminaries giving message of hope and love. The group is aiming to reach more audience around the world as they continue to grow.