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Original poster

Semicolon - stigma or no stigma?

62 replies

Maurora · 03/01/2025 00:12

I'm an advocate for raising awareness about mental health, especially with regard to men.

Although people's struggles with mental health often go unnoticed, do you think it's a positive sign to get a semicolon tattoo or do you think it further stigmatises?

People get Ironman tattoos, and maybe marvel at the commitment as they know the distances and what's involved. Some may look upon them as egotistical and unnecessary others as motivational. It is a massive achievement...

Struggling with mental health isn't so clear cut. Someone may suffer from depression or attempted suicide and it may come and go. Some may have had a stint of poor mental health but found their way back to stability, maybe never to suffer with it so severely again.

I'm not critical or judging, just wondering if it's a positive tattoo for those who have recovered? I guess you don't get an Ironman tattoo until you've finished... But then, everyone has mental health and you never know when it may strike again.

OP posts:
RunningWithDogs · 03/01/2025 13:59

I wasn’t aware of this being a thing and don’t like tattoos I’m general, but I think if it helps a person, in any way, who struggles with mental health issues, then it’s a good thing.

Whether it makes them feel stronger when they see it as a reminder of what they’ve come through, or even if it is ‘attention seeking’, who cares. They’re here, alive, thankfully, hopefully living life and feeling brighter about their future.

Life is hard sometimes so if something gets you through and doesn’t harm anyone else, go for it.

I think if you do know the meaning of this tattoo, see it on someone, and feel anything but some sympathy for them having at some point suffered with bad mental health, then you should try to be a better person.

Original poster
Maurora · 03/01/2025 14:53

LonginesPrime · 03/01/2025 09:07

I think it shows how personal mental health is. If it is something you want OP, then do it. I think it would prompt questions if it was somewhere visible so you would need to think about that. I don't hide my experience but it never comes up in conversation if that makes sense. Would you feel OK discussing it often?

In addition to it being a personal reflection of the wearer's attitude to their own MH, it's also a reflection of their attitude to tattoos, at least at the time they got the tattoo.

I have random tattoos I got as a teen that I definitely wouldn't choose to get now - thankfully they're small and easily covered in most contexts, and now I see them as a reminder that I might change my mind even if I'm 100% sure at the time that something is what I want and will want forever.

Which I guess could work similarly for someone who gets a semicolon tattoo on their hand and is later confronted with having to discuss it in contexts they'd rather not too. Tattoos can be a great reminder that one won't always feel the same way.

I guess a semicolon is very easy to change into a different tattoo if someone changes their mind about displaying such personal information so publicly though; I can't imagine a campaign recommending its supporters get permanent tattoos if this weren't the case!

No, I have one tattoo that I got in my 20's. Was thinking of maybe getting another but stuck with the same issue of not being able to settle on one. I quite like chemical compound tattoos and sacred geometry but was interested in personalised hidden icons.

I've had my struggles but I don't think I'd like to advertise.

I did search Google before I posted this but I think I asked a specific question that didn't give me the correct answer.

I'm happy to discuss mental health recovery, but when it's relevant, I don't think I want to invite discussions about it from the off.

It is very personal to each individual

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 05/01/2025 19:11

MassiveSalad22 · 03/01/2025 09:16

Or, everyone has mental health, just like we all have physical health. To varying degrees.

Show quote history

Yep

LadySnoresMuchly · 05/01/2025 19:27

husbandcallsmepickle · 03/01/2025 09:25

If people don't understand the semicolon tattoo, I suggest they read up on it instead of making judgements.

I probably see fifty tattoos a day in my job. I'm definitely not going to read up on the ones I don't understand the meaning of.

廣式炒飯

ByLimeAnt · 12/09/2025 18:17

AmateurNoun · 03/01/2025 09:22

I don't think it's generally good for MH for people to be defining themselves by struggles that they have overcome and/or using it as a status symbol. I'd view it a bit like the social media accounts which have various diagnoses in as the tagline.

It's not stigma about the fact that the person has experienced suicidal ideation or attempted, but I would worry that the person is attempting to make this a key aspect of how they see themself and how others see them. I don't think that's healthy.

Well put.

What I would just add is the potential for it to impact your career. It's all very well to comment that the recruitment team cannot legally discriminate against you, but funnily enough I'm certain they won't be documenting that particular rationale.

I have a serious MH condition and there is no WAY I would share that with my employer. With my last one I didn't have a choice because I got sectioned again.

I strongly suspect I was managed out as a result.

autumnevenings25 · 12/10/2025 06:14

Me ex husband has a semi colon tattoo.. it makes me cringe every time I see it ….i didn’t realise having a midlife crisis and abandoning your wife and kids and fiddling his employment status so as not to pay CMS was now labelled as “having MH issues”

GrammarTeacher · 12/10/2025 06:31

I have one. Only ever had positive responses, but it’s very if you know you know. I think it contributes to many of my sixth form students seeing me as someone they can talk to.

GrammarTeacher · 12/10/2025 06:36

battairzeedurgzome · 03/01/2025 07:20

I suppose it's encouraging to see semicolons being used at all.

To be fair, if younger students ask me what it’s for, I tell them it’s my favourite piece of punctuation and it’s to remind me to encourage them to use it.
Which isn’t a lie.

GrammarTeacher · 12/10/2025 06:41

ByLimeAnt · 12/09/2025 18:17

Well put.

What I would just add is the potential for it to impact your career. It's all very well to comment that the recruitment team cannot legally discriminate against you, but funnily enough I'm certain they won't be documenting that particular rationale.

I have a serious MH condition and there is no WAY I would share that with my employer. With my last one I didn't have a choice because I got sectioned again.

I strongly suspect I was managed out as a result.

Show quote history

I was promoted after getting mine and actually think it’s
important to be honest about things. Of course, all work places are not the same.

NotSureFeelingLost · 12/10/2025 07:47

Think it’s fair to say there’s a fair amount of stigma around it OP, judging by this thread🤣 I knew what it’s for, and have been there myself, battling with the feelings right now if I’m honest. I wouldn’t want to advertise it to the world though! People aren’t very nice!

Galdownunder · 12/10/2025 07:50

I have one it's on the underside of my wrist. It's for me not for anyone else. It reminds me how far I've come.

Puzzledtoday · 12/10/2025 08:19

@MauroraYou can request Admin to delete your thread by reporting it and saying why you’d prefer it to disappear.

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