TATTOO studios in Southend, Westcliff, Leigh and Rochford have teamed up with mental health charity Mind to offer symbolic tattoos for those who have overcome difficult times.

The Semicolon campaign is in aid of World Mental Health Day, taking place across the globe on October 10.

The campaign, which is now in it’s third year, aims to raise awareness of mental health and the vital services Mind offers the community.

Several tattoo studios are offering a number of semicolon designs ranging from £30 to £50 with all proceeds going directly to South East and Central Essex Mind.

Anyone interested in getting involved can just turn up to their local tattoo shop on the day as all will be providing a walk-in service for most of the day.

Elite Ink in Westcliff, will be participating on October 8, Tooth & Claw, in Rochford, Oliver J Tattoo, in Leigh, and Silver Needles, in Southend, will be doing their walk-ins on October 10, and Immortal Ink, in Chelmsford, on October 18.

The funds raised will also go directly to your local Mind charity to enable them to keep providing the mental health services they offer in providing supported housing, counselling and support services to anyone experiencing mental health difficulties across south Essex.

Nicola Baran, 33, who owns Tooth & Claw, in Rochford, said: “As an issue that is close to our hearts we feel mental health is often overlooked and unfortunately still carries a lot of stigma.

“We want to help in anyway we can to try and ensure people receive the support and care that they need to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

“This is our third year working to donate to the charity and we are hoping to donate even more than previous years.

“We are so happy that even more studios are now donating too.

“Let’s hope we can all make a difference!”

Project Semicolon is a movement that was created by American mental health campaigner Amy Bleuel, who sadly died in March 2018 aged just 31 when she took her own life.

Amy, who struggled with depression for 20 years after years of bullying, addiction, abuse, and even rape, began the movement after losing her father to suicide when she was just 18 years old.

The semicolon symbolises being “the author of your life, and instead of choosing to end your sentence/life with a full stop, you choose to continue, therefore putting a semi-colon instead of a full stop”, according to the campaign.

The tattoo can also act as encouragement to overcome mental health issues and a reminder to stay strong.

Project Semicolon continues to carry on Amy’s legacy - raising awareness of suicide prevention and to try to eradicate the stigmas around mental health that still exist today.

Anyone can walk in to their participating tattoo shop to donate to Mind on the day without having to get a tattoo, or you can donate directly to South East and Central Essex Mind by calling 01702 601123.

To find out more about Project Semi-colon, visit projectsemicolon.com