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In April 2013, Amy Bleuel had an idea which she took to social media.

It was a message for anyone who had ever struggled with a mental illness.

The call to action was for people to draw a semicolon on their wrist and to post a photo 鈥� as a semicolon symbolized that a sentence wasn鈥檛 over yet, and neither was their life.

The tagline was: 鈥淵our story isn鈥檛 over.鈥�

Since then, millions have shared photos of semicolons on their bodies, both drawn and permanently tattooed, as part of a burgeoning effort to erase the societal shame long associated with mental health.

鈥淧eople want to know they鈥檙e not suffering in silence, you feel alone like no one cares, to know someone is there, that is what these people go forth with, they take this energy to better themselves,鈥� Bleuel said. 鈥淚 wanted to start a conversation that can鈥檛 be stopped and I believe I鈥檝e done that.鈥�

That message has reached sa国际传媒官网网页入口 chef and tattoo aficionado Mike White, who himself has struggled with mental illness.

White is collaborating with Por Vida Tattoo and Por Vida Therapeutics in on the Semicolon Tattoo Project, which takes place from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Por Vida Tattoo.

鈥淚t signifies that someone鈥檚 story isn鈥檛 over,鈥� White says. 鈥淭he people who show up for a tattoo will be able to get one of a few designs.鈥�

White says the tattoos will cost either $60, $90 or $120, depending on which design is chosen.

鈥淲e have 20 tattoo artists that are participating in the project,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he money from the tattoos goes to one of three different nonprofits that fosters the spirit of suicide and mental health prevention.鈥�

The three nonprofits are Capeless Heroes Foundation, Agora Crisis Center and Lotus Project.

White says it鈥檚 a family-friendly event and will have food trucks such as Mighty Mike鈥檚 Meats, B.un.s Food Truck and Red Taco Shop.

He says it鈥檚 a collaborative effort among all the sa国际传媒官网网页入口-based organizations.

鈥淚 really believe in helping people that have mental health struggles,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen it comes to mental health services, I want to raise as much money as possible. By making mental health more common and normal, it won鈥檛 be as stigmatized. As we continue to raise awareness, it will help people feel less uncomfortable.鈥�