Semicolon tattoos are popping up all over social media;

Netizens have been sharing photos of their semicolon tattoo on their social media accounts, but what is this really about?

Now, the movement has inspired people from all over the world. It has made semicolon tattoos trendy, as users share photos of this symbol, now permanently etched on their bodies, in their social media accounts.

The project itself was founded in 2013 by Amy Bleuel, who wanted to honour her father after he committed suicide. And maybe that’s exactly why the mark has been turned into a symbol of hope by Project Semicolon -a non-profit movement aimed at mental health awareness. “The author is you and the sentence is your life”, reads the organization’s adopted motto.

In the post, Heather explains her diagnosis of “depression and anxiety”, and describes having to leave a job she loved because her mental health problems inhibited her work performance. In light of her own struggles, those of her father, and the tremendous pain she felt as a family member of someone who took his own life, Amy set out to provide support and guidance to others dealing with similar issues.

It is urging people worldwide to get a semicolon inked, temporary or otherwise, to spread hope and love among people who are prone to depression and tend to harm themselves. “The sentence of my life is not over; #semicolonproject”, said one other participant, according to the Mirror.

“Project Semicolon is honored to be a part of those continuing stories, and to be an inspiration to those who are struggling”, their site said.