Local artists look to spread awareness of suicide through semicolon tattoo event

By Mo Cranker on September 7, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

One of Medicine Hat’s better known tattoo shops is holding a semicolon tattoo event Monday in support of World Suicide Prevention Day.

Multiple artists from Monsters’ Ink will have their needles and ink ready from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to tattoo a number of small, semicolon-based tattoos for Hatters wanting to spread awareness on suicide prevention.

“Every year World Suicide Prevention Day is Sept. 10 and we get together and try to figure out some events we can hold each year,” said regional suicide prevention council chair Erin Reeder. “This year we decided upon a semicolon event to raise awareness, and we’re very pleased that the artists at Monsters’ Ink have stepped up to help us out.”

The semicolon has become a symbol used around mental health and suicide awareness, says Reeder, and over the past couple years semicolon tattoos have become popular.

“A semicolon is used when an author chooses to not end a sentence,” said Reeder. “You are the author and the sentence is your life — you’re choosing to continue on.

“Basically, it’s symbolism of continuing on despite barriers and challenges that come your way — the semicolon is about not ending your life but continuing to keep going.”

The shop’s usual minimum fee for any tattoo is $170 but Monday’s event will offer a $60 price, which will go toward covering the cost of the materials. The event is strictly for 18 years old and above.

Reeder says raising awareness for suicide prevention is very important.

“We need things like this because suicide happens,” she said. “We need support out there for people either having thoughts themselves or have someone in their life they’re concerned about — it’s important that we keep talking about it.”

For more information on the shop or its artists go to monstersink.ca

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