Mini Blog Post #2

The above image is an excellent example of self-stigmatization. In recent years the use of a semicolon tattoo has come to represent the very real struggle that so many face with mental illness. In grammatical terms, the semicolon is used when the writer could’ve chosen to end the sentence but didn’t. This draw parallels with mental illness and suicide- the person struggling could’ve chosen to end their life but didn’t. Many people who have overcome the battle against mental illness and suicide wear this tattoo as a badge of honor; however, this tattoo could also lead to some negative consequences. For example, there is currently so much controversy related to mental illness and how to treat it that someone wearing a tattoo like this could easily be singled out as someone who is “weak” or “broken.” They could also be considered by others as only getting the tattoo to draw attention to themselves. Wearing a tattoo like this could just as easily bring a person negative treatment as it could positive treatment. On the reverse side of this, there are many people that would praise an individual with this tattoo for their bravery in standing up for something they consider important. That is why, in my opinion, an individual may choose to get a tattoo like this: to bring attention to the issue behind the tattoo. While this could prove hard for the tattoo wearer given the different kind of treatment they may receive, it is more valuable to them to start a conversation over their tattoo with the hopes of getting to the bottom of the real issue: open conversation about mental illness and the search for better ways of treatment.