Around eight months ago, I got my first tattoo- a semicolon on my left wrist. Chances are, you have at least heard of that tattoo. It’s so common. In literature, a semicolon is used when an author could have ended their sentence but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life. As you may be able to tell, the semicolon is for mental health awareness. The idea came from Amy Bluel, who founded Project Semicolon after her dad’s suicide and her personal experience with mental illness.

Unfortunately, so many people now view the semicolon as just another trend and argue that it is unoriginal. Yes, it is a common tattoo- chances are you know someone who has it- but here is why it is so much more than a trend.

1. The semicolon has a different meaning for all who have it.

I got mine because of my personal battle with anxiety and depression. Some people get theirs in honor of a loved one who died from suicide or battled with a mental illness, while others get it to cover up scars from self-harm. No matter what, the semicolon has a deep and personal meaning for everyone.

2. It is a reminder of inner strength.

Yes, my battle with mental illness was one of the hardest things I have went through and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Yet for so many people, myself included, the pain of mental illness has made them stronger, and the semicolon is a wonderful way to visually remind them of that strength they have.

3. It serves to start a conversation and end stigma.

I can't even count how many times my tattoo has struck a conversation. I have been able to share my battle with mental illness with many people, and have had strangers come up to me and compliment me, and then proceed to tell me about their personal struggles. Mental illness is a topic that needs to be talked about, and the semicolon is a wonderful way to do just that.

I can honestly say that getting a semicolon tattoo was one of the best decisions I have ever made. no matter how “trendy” it may be, I will always wear it with pride.