By Angela Brown

Semicolon art tattoo designed to get people talking about mental health

May 2, 2018 | 3:00 PM

The local Canadian Mental Health Association is promoting a unique tattoo during Mental Health Week to encourage people to start talking about mental health and show their support.

Jane Zielke de Montbrun, executive director of the CMHA Battlefords branch, said 68 people have already signed up to receive semicolon art tattoos at the local office in North Battleford. There is a waiting list for others interested, Zielke de Montbrun said, and two professional tattoo artists are donating their time and the proceeds from the event. Funds raised will help the local CMHA purchase a mini-bus for use by its Work Experience Program crew, Zielke de Montbrun said.

Zielke de Montbrun said people getting the semicolon tattoos will have many interesting designs to choose from. She has one of the tattoos herself in the shape of a dandelion with a semicolon in the centre.

“I got this tattoo because I work with people that have significant mental illness,” she said. “This is my way of saying that I support them and I support mental health … I got this tattoo for them in a way.”

When people see her tattoo, she said they will know they are in a safe place to talk to someone about their own mental health issues.

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“Some people get a semicolon tattoo because they have a mental health problem,” Zielke de Montbrun said. “I got one to say I’m a safe person that understands how important it is to be mentally healthy, as well as a person of support for people who have mental illness.”

Project Semicolon is a mental health non-profit movement started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel of Wisconsin. Bleuel lost her life to suicide in 2017, but Zielke de Montbrun said the initiative continues to be a source of hope for those struggling with mental illness.

“The semicolon signifies a pause or a breath,” Zielke de Montbrun said. “It’s a break, a pause to continue. I find it’s very significant.”   

The semicolon tattoos will be available May 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the local CMHA office in North Battleford. Mental Health Week runs from May 7 to 12.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW