World Semicolon Day

World Semicolon Day is a day to honor people who have not chosen to end their lives because their story is not ended.

April 16 is World Semicolon Day (or International Semicolon Day) dedicated to suicide prevention? Even if the name of this day of action suggests an orthodox context, today it favors the symbolic meaning of this punctuation mark. Reason enough to honor the occasion with its own contribution to the calendar of curious holidays from around the world, and tell its story below.

History of World Semicolon Day

It is not similar to many other celebrations and holidays, there are a lot of document relating to the history of World Semicolon. This action day initiative goes back to the American Amy Bleuel and the non-profit initiative Semicolon Project, which she co-founded in 2013. Bleuel launched the day of action in memory of her father, who was her father killed by.

There are not official evidences that figure out why Bleuel chose April 16 as the date for World Semicolon Day. It's not yet clear whether this date refers to the date of your father's death or if it has something to do with the iconic semicolon.

Accordingly, there are a lot of similar to this holiday including International Day of Voices (World Voices Day), Day to Work in Pajamas (Pajamas to Work during the Day) Or US eggs -Benedict Date (National Egg Day for Britain Benedict) or Orchid Day (National Orchid Day for the UK).

Symbol of World Semicolon Day

As a punctuation mark, the semicolon primarily symbolizes the mental break of a sentence without actually ending it. In the context of World Semicolon Day today, this also leads to the motto leitmotiv my story is not over. A metaphorical transformation of this grammatical function of punctuation means: You are the author of your life and you decide not to end your life, this one sentence to be exact.

In addition, the semicolon is also a sign of hope, which explains the reasons why many affected people wear this punctuation mark as a tattoo on their body.

Previous comments have pointed it out in principle, but to clarify it again here. The main purpose of World Semicolon Day and thus of the Semicolon Project is to help people with mental illness, to take preventive action against those at risk of suicide and of course, to raise public awareness of this issue and related stereotypes. To spread World Semicolon Day, there is a direct thematic relationship with Australia's RU OK Day every second Thursday in September is the US Punctuation Day on September 24^th.

There is a lot of basic information about World Semicolon Day, however, it should not be hidden that Amy Bleuel committed suicide on March 23, 2017.

How to celebrate World Semicolon Day

• If you are a suicide survivor, consider sharing your story with friends or online to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
• Get a semicolon tattoo. You can do so if you are a suicide survivor or if you want to pay respects to friends and family members who are survivors. You can also post pictures of your tattoo online.
• Visit the Project Semicolon website, where mental health information can be found and stories about battling mental illness can be shared. You can make a donation to Semicolon Project in order to help for their work.
• If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, there is someone there to listen to you. Let contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline through the number 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.

World Semicolon Day Amy Bleuel Quotes

“Semicolon is used in circumstance the author does not want to choose to end a sentence. We are saying that you are the author and the saying is your life and you are choosing to move on. The most effective way to give the concept of a semicolon is that it was conceived in a perfect storm scenario. "

“When I was between the ages of 13 and 18, to go to a girl's prison and during that time I was brutally self-destructive, I wouldn't stop at self-destruction. I hit my head into the wall until it bled. I tore off my hair and used it to tie my neck. I bit myself. Friction burned me with my skin anything I could do to harm myself. That's what I did for five years. ”

“I was raped at 13 years old and after that, people blamed me for a bomb list and bomb threat that happened at my middle school right after Columbine. So I went into this system from the age of 13 to the age of 18, where I struggled with more self-injury and suicide. I see the reality of untreated mental illness in the system, and I see how people will mistreat themselves, not stop at trying to take their lives, and even witness suicides happened before my eyes at that young age. "

“Faith plays an important part in love as well as hope. I have had the opportunity for people to come into my life and love me with a Christ like love. Because of love, I have more strength to continue and spread my love to others. Having faith in something bigger than yourself allows you to keep striving for something more, something bigger.”

“During my childhood, I have experienced some great pain, from being abused, being raped, even losing my own father to committing suicide. Not only did I struggle with my mental illness, but going through these experiences made me even more depressed with thoughts and suicidal thoughts.”

“Hope says you belong. Just know that there's something bigger out there that has a light and really say we're worthy, say we belong, just have that word hope with the meaning that you belong to power. It's simple but very powerful. "

“I only want to talk to people who are getting troubles or in a difficult time and need me to give the light to overcome. Because if you look back at a time you struggled before, you will remember that a light has come and you know it will come again.”

I have seen the darkest part of the darkness, where I grew up.