The Semicolon Project is on the hunt for Worcestershire tattoo artists

Artists from across Worcestershire are needed to take part in the Semicolon Tattoo Project, where people have a semi-colon tattoo to show their awareness of mental health problems. 

Celebrities, like Selena Gomez, have this tattoo to show solidarity for people who have dealt with suicide, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues.

Dan Shaw, founder of The Semicolon Tattoo Project, is hoping to find tattoo artists from Worcestershire in order to take part in her nationwide event which starts on Wednesday, April 5 to Wednesday, April 12.

Dan Shaw is on the hunt for tattoo artists in Worcestershire (Image: Dan Shaw)

Miss Shaw, 31, psychology student, said: "The semicolon means something different to everybody, to me it makes me a safe place and it means people feel as though they can talk to me if they need to.

"A semicolon is when an author decides not to end their sentence."

Semicolon Tattoo (Image: The Semicolon Project (Facebook))

Miss Shaw said the semicolon means you have decided to carry on with your story rather than ending it.

"That sentence is your life and your story isn't over," she added.

"For other people, it might mean something different, it is personal to everyone."

People will be able to get the semicolon tattoo for a discounted price at selected tattoo parlours across Worcestershire.

The event has been taking place in the UK for the past three years and last year saw long queues as people waited to have the tattoo.

Miss Shaw, said: "Last year, we started 3,000 conversations on suicide prevention and a lot of people shared their stories.

"This year we are hoping for the same thing, we have 140 tattoo artists across the country and eight from Worcestershire this year.

"I'll probably cry again, it's such an emotional day, it's nice to hear people's stories and I'm hoping for long queues again like last year."

Semicolon Tattoo (Image: The Semicolon Project (Facebook))

Miss Shaw said the semicolon tattoo could typically cost around £40 in most tattoo parlours. But the price of the tattoo during the event will start from £15 depending on the tattoo parlour.

Last year the team raised £40,000 across the UK and 25% of the proceeds went to Suicide Awareness Prevention UK (SAP). And the rest of the money was donated to a charity of the tattoo artist's choice.

Anyone willing to help can contact Miss Shaw by visiting the facebook page called The Semicolon Tattoo project (SAPUK).