Painted Lady –
August 2, 2019 – “For the person who chooses to get a tattoo, many times it’s a much deeper process of reflection,” says Shainna Ali, PhD, a mental health professional. “What’s the point of getting a tattoo, what purpose will this serve, what’s the symbolism—a tattoo serves something deeper for that individual involved. For example, a star for someone could represent a star for one person, and for someone else, it might mean something deeper, like a life lost. A tattoo can be used to honor whatever it is—whether it’s a person, a choice, or a lifestyle.” My own first tattoo—a white infinity sign on the inside of my wrist with the word “life” inscribed in it—is a tribute to a mental health scare I went through in college. Ten years later, it serves as a reminder to make that choice every day. Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Joice Wang has taken the concept of mental health recovery tattoos one step further, offering free tattoos to clients looking to cover up scars from self-harm.
