Semicolon tattoos are the latest trend among people looking to build community support among individuals with depression. When facing severe mental challenges such as depression, it can be helpful for those affected by the condition to network with others facing the same problems.
Project Semicolon is a nonprofit, faith-based organization at the head of the movement. The group states that it delivers hope and love to people facing issues of depression, suicide, self-injury and suicidal thoughts.
Project Semicolon was founded in the spring of 2013, after the founder, Amy Bleuel, lost her father to suicide. The semicolon was chosen as a symbol because it is a a place where a writer could choose to end a sentence and decide to give it new life.
People facing the challenges of depression could benefit from social support. However, Project Semicolon is just one of the many sources of help for people facing depression.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is one of the many groups working to support people with these conditions.
"While depression sometimes runs in families, many people with the illness have no family history of depression. The exact causes of depression still are not clear. What we do know is that both genetics and a stressful environment, or life situation, contribute to its cause. Usually, it's not one or the other, but a combination of both," the DBSA reports on its website.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America provides people suffering from the conditions with support, as well as a network of organizations that can provide help to the affected individuals. This includes a database of therapists who can assist adults, teens and children learning to cope with their challenges.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800) 273-8255.
On April 16, 2013, Bleuel posted a flyer encouraging people to draw a semicolon on their wrists to show solidarity in the battle against depression. Around a half-million people responded on the first day of her call, showing the level of support available for those people facing mental health challenges. Although the initial call was for people to draw a semicolon on their body, people soon turned the sentiment permanent by affixing tattoos to their skin.
"Over the years Project Semicolon has become much more than just one person honoring a parent. Through musician support and social media, the message of hope and love has reached a big audience in many different countries, more than we could have ever anticipated," Project Semicolon reports.
A study released earlier in 2015 suggests Facebook and other social media websites could actually increase feelings of loneliness and depression.
Photo: Memphis CVB | Flickr
