A TATTOO parlour in Worcester has been inking people with a distinctive and meaningful tattoo with an important message.
Thousands of people have been inked with a semicolon tattoo this month to show their awareness and support towards mental health problems.
Dan Shaw, founder of The Semicolon Tattoo Project, has organised a nationwide event where people can get tattooed with a semicolon in April.
Clients have been coming to Bleeding Canvas Tattoo Studio on New Street throughout April.
Nicholas Burns, studio owner, said people have been frantically trying to book their appointments.
Mr Burns, 29, said: "We've seen just under 20 people so far, we've opened up early on some days just to fit people in.
"We have done it on an appointment-only basis because we don't have that much space.
"But we have had a lot of interest."
He said some people have been happy to share what made them get the tattoo but others kept their reasons private.
Vicki Puttergill, 46, who was about to get her 19th tattoo said: "Most people struggle or know someone who struggles and if you don't, you are probably living under a box.
"I don't mean that as an insult, but the last four to five years have been tough on the world."
Ms Puttergill was inked with a tattoo on the back of her neck and it said: "Breathe;"
"I think events like this do start a conversation and it's knowing that someone is acknowledging and the tattoo becomes a talking point," she added.
Originally from Malvern, Ms Puttergill drove to Worcester to get the tattoo.
Mr Burns added: "A lot more people are talking more sense when it comes to mental health.
"I love to draw and I do this as an escape from my mental health.
"Tattooing has started to make its way to a lot of things and the stigma has started to change now.
"Tattoos have been frowned on but tattoos have become an easy way for young people to express themselves.
"In this industry, I love to talk to a lot of people and we have always advocated that this is a safe space.
"Some of our customers have said, I would rather pay for a tattoo than pay for therapy.
"It is good to talk to people, I think we live in a society that is too quick to judge.
"There are a lot of stigmas with tattoo shops but that is slowly changing."
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