People all over the world are getting semicolon tattoos to draw attention to mental health
The semicolon symbolises the overcoming of depression, addiction or suicidal thoughts
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Your support makes all the difference.People all over the world who have struggled with addiction, suicidal thoughts, and depression are tattooing themselves with semicolons as part of an online movement.
The idea behind the trend, known as the 'Semicolon Project', is explained on a number of blogs, websites and social media posts - "The semicolon is used when a sentence could have ended, but didn't."
People are displaying semicolons on their skin, either with a tattoo or through other, non-permanent means, to show solidarity or to remind themselves of the positive changes they've made in their lives.
The movement was founded by Amy Bleuel in 2013, in tribute to her father, who killed himself.
She set up the Project Semicolon website, but the movement has spread beyond the boundaries of this group and across the internet.
The 'official' movement describes itself as a "faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love tot hose who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury."
"Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire."
However, Bleuel has stressed that you don't have to believe in God to participate in or support the movement.
A cursory look at any social network shows a number of people have decided to take part, with a number of fresh-looking semicolon tattoos appearing on people around the world.
Buzzfeed News spoke to Alex Bieger, a recovering addict who is one of the many people with a semicolon tattoo.
Explaining his decision, he said: "It's a reminder for me that I made the choice to fight for my life instead of giving up."
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