Project Semicolon

After struggling with depression for more than 15 years, Cheyenne May said she decided to take her life into her own hands in a positive way and raise awareness to help others and herself through the use of Project Semicolon.
According to their website, Project Semicolon is a faith-based, non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury. It exists to encourage, love and inspire.
May explained that she first heard about Project Semicolon when she was browsing through Pinterest, an application that shares photos and websites.
Amy Bleuel started it two years ago, May said.
“The idea behind it is that the (tattoo) can help start a conversation about suicide, mental illness and addiction,” May explained. “One reason I liked it is because it is faith based.”
May explained that Bleuel came up with the idea for Project Semicolon because she dealt with depression herself.
“She said she came up with it because her dad committed suicide when she was 18 and she suffered with depression too,” she said. “She said she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts for 20 years, which I could relate to.”
May explained that Bleuel used the semicolon because it represents both a stopping point and a continuation.
“A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life,” May said as she read a pin from Project Semicolon that she found on Pinterest.
May said she feels that the semicolon body art allows her to be more open about her depression.
“You don’t want to tell anyone you have depression because you don’t want them to think you are crazy or have pity on you,” she said. “Depression runs in my family, and I wanted to be that one child that got out unscathed.”
May explained that while she dealt with depression for more than 15 years, it was around that time that she realized she was suffering from the dark unrelenting disorder.
“I was bullied in school and at home it was no better; my parents fought all the time, my dad was in and out of jail, and I was molested when I was little,” she said. “I go to a psychologist once a month. The psychologist found that I had repressed those memories.”
After dealing with these challenges for years, May said she started having suicidal thoughts around the age of 15.
Though she said this will likely be a lifelong struggle, May said she didn’t start fighting back until last year.
“I know this sounds crazy, but I was doing laundry when I heard a voice clear as day that said, ‘You are going to die by your own hand,’” she said. “That was when I chose to seek help. Tiffany Gibson at Kernersville Family Practice referred me to Psychiatrist Dr. Shaji Puthuvel.”
As to why she dealt with the burden on her own for so long, May said she didn’t want to “burden anyone else.”
“I think the reason I didn’t seek help was because I didn’t want to put the burden on my family, and I don’t think I truly wanted to admit I was depressed,” she shared.
May shared that she was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder and type II bipolar disorder.
“I still have manic episodes. It’s not something I can control. I’m on medication, but it only does so much,” she said. “It’s a daily struggle and a lifelong battle.”
May explained that before she was prescribed medication, her suicidal thoughts raced all day long, but since seeking help, she only has about one a day.
“It’s gotten better,” she remarked.
While some semicolon body art is just a semicolon standing alone, others chose to include it in art or with a quote, as May did. Her quote reads, “You are never too lost to be saved.”
“I wanted to get the semicolon tattoo because I wanted to raise awareness and create an open dialogue about mental illness because it’s not something people talk about; there’s a stigma attached to it,” she said. “When you tell someone you are depressed, they think, ‘What do you have to be depressed about? You have a great family and a great life,’ but they don’t know about your past or what is going on in your head. Even my husband still has trouble understanding what I am going through.”
May shared that the body art is also a reminder to herself to try to be positive.
For more information about Project Semicolon, visit www.projectsemicolon.com.
Editor’s Note: Project Semicolon is not a help line nor do they employ trained mental health professionals. Their purpose is solely to serve as an inspiration.
If you are in need of assistance or know someone that may be at risk for suicide, call (911), a mental health professional or 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).