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That was the night I decided on my third tattoo, a larger one that will start at my now-scarred wrist and cover my entire inner forearm. I asked my brother to design it for me — it’s beautiful. A feather quill flows from the symbol Lady Gaga had tattooed with other sexual abuse victims after the Academy Awards this year. But when I turned 30, I realized I needed to be proactive about moving forward in recovery, lest I waste my life perpetuating my misery by forever identifying as a victim. This is just start of a sleeve, but it was the most important part.
The battle against serious mental health issues, killer diseases such as cancer and heart issues, or even domestic abuse and addiction, make a good base for self-reflective body art. “When I’m struggling with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, I would usually self-harm. I got this tattoo to remind me to take a step back a breathe.
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The tattoos haven't erased all my negative interactions, of course. Even those I've sought help from — including tattoo artists — have sometimes been less understanding than I would have liked. In the end, I went with another tattoo artist for my first tattoo, because I didn’t want to get tattooed by someone who had made me feel that way. My grandpa sexually abused me since I was a small child.
I don't care if this "tattoo healing method" of mine is just a placebo effect in action. I'm aware that a self-mutilation compulsion is, incidentally, "all in my head," so if the only way for me to block it is by countering with a stronger mental barrier, then I'm delighted to implement it. But the miracle is that, no matter how many times the compulsion to self-harm has presented itself since I got my Art Shield, I haven't given into it. I say it daily, sometimes when I feel worthless and suicidal, and other times when I want to lash out at humanity. Asking "Love" to take over my motivations has never instantly transformed me into a gentle saint, but its effects have slowly become more evident.
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As a freshmen in college last year, I finally got this quote on my body.” — Zari S. Depression affects more than 300 million people worldwide — so why aren’t we talking about it more? Many people get tattoos to help themselves cope with and spread awareness about depression, along with other mental health conditions. Anchor signifies stability and its tattoo urges you to, ' never sink' or 'always stay strong'.
“Never thought one little tattoo can mean so much to me. I got a semicolon tattooed on my index finger to not only stand as a personal reminder, but also a conversation piece… Our world would be a much more beautiful place if we all loved each other more. We’re so much more similar than you may think. I am thankful to be alive, and I am so thankful you are alive.
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Surgeries to remove dead muscle and scar tissue had distorted my forearm, and the scars scattered across my arm and hand felt unsightly and ugly. This tattoo, my first, was a present to myself when I turned 18 as a way to reclaim my body after it had been irreparably damaged, and to turn my scars into something beautiful. I didn’t want to cover up the surgical scars because they were, and are, such an important part of who I am now, but I wanted to transform them into something I was proud of. “One of my best friends had severe postpartum depression. She grew up showing cattle in FFA and always loved cows. The flowers are blue and yellow to represent suicide and depression awareness ribbons.” – Cate N.H.
It is a symbol of my recovery and strength. My spine has never looked like that, nor will it ever look like that, it is simply the spine that I should’ve had. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. As an alternative to music, try the spoken word with a podcast or audiobook.
An Anchor With A Red Flower Covering A Scar From An Injury
“This reminds me every day to continue to fight for myself and that giving up is no longer an option.” – Aiyana R. “The tattoo I got to remind me I can go on no matter what.” — K.L. A2005 study conducted by the Wiley Librarybacks up the anecdotal evidence. In relation to patients with eating disorders, the conclusion was drawn that "piercing and tattooing seem to reflect more self‐care, and might protect some patients against more self‐harm."
Having depression is hard enough for me, then losing someone so close to me made everything worse. So I decided to get this amazing tattoos over my scars to remind me that he will always be there.” — Gina S. “This quote I got from an episode of ‘My So Called Life.’ This was probably one of my favorite TB shows in high school. I was diagnosed with depression and then with panic disorder during my college years. This quote always stood out to me because although I wasn’t diagnosed at the time, I always felt different from my peers.
I want to end the stigma, spread awareness and by having a visible piece of art that inquires questions I am hoping to change even one person’s presumptions of suicide and mental health illness.” — Rachel W. My younger cousin died suicide a little over three years ago. I got the semicolon tattoo for her and for me. I have episodes of minor depression myself, but it took losing someone close to me for me to look more into it and take it seriously. She’s the reason I’m going to school for counseling and therapy. I got the tattoo to open up a line of communication about mental illness and suicide, and to remind me about the person who made me want to be a part of the conversation.” — Sophie Kharmaine A.P.
It reminds me of all the good memories I had with her and that I need to make good memories with my children and my children’s children.” — Sasha C. And sometimes a small touch of pink is all you need to remember how wonderful life can be. “I once cut the word ‘ugly’ into my leg, but recently got a tattoo that says beautiful to remind myself how beautiful I am.” — Brianna N. What happens when you leave depression untreated? The symptoms may start small, then escalate, and affect your life and health. We asked our community to share some of their tattoos and stories with us — check them out below.
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