Foundation 2 helps tell story of mental health with tattoos

Fundraiser at tattoo parlor encourages healing, conversations about suicide

Blake Mosley admires his new heart semicolon tattoo he got Sunday from tattoo artist Skylar Baley during “The story continues;” event at VISIONAIRE Barbershop & Tattoo Parlor, 1052 Mount Vernon Rd. SE in Cedar Rapids. The project provides tattoos to help share the story of suicide and mental health awareness. The annual fundraiser was sponsored by Foundation 2 Crisis Services. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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CEDAR RAPIDS — Eight people already were waiting despite Sunday’s chill to get inside a barbershop and tattoo parlor to select from tattoos that feature a semicolon to share the story of suicide and mental health awareness.

One of them was Andrea Rogers. Rogers was getting a tattoo in honor of her daughter, Madisan Gallagher, who died by suicide in April 2025. Rogers brought a laminated copy of Gallagher’s obituary that described her passion for nursing, her love for her niece and her “bold and ever-changing collection of eyeglasses”.

“She was super cool,” Rogers said, her eyes brimming with tears as she smiled.

The Semicolon Tattoo Project held its first fundraising event in 2014, and Foundation 2 Crisis Services, based in downtown Cedar Rapids, picked up the idea in 2017. Participants pay $100, with all proceeds going to Foundation 2 Crisis Services.

Coady Sierra (left), of Marion, watches Sunday while Lindsay Shriver tattoos her arm during “The story continues;” event at VISIONAIRE Barbershop & Tattoo Parlor, 1052 Mount Vernon Rd. SE in Cedar Rapids. The annual fundraiser was sponsored by Foundation 2 Crisis Services. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Sunday’s event was held at the VISIONAIRE Barbershop & Tattoo Parlor’s location in southeast Cedar Rapids.

Though it is a fundraiser, Jena Schoenhofer, marketing manager at Foundation 2, said the events’ main purpose is to build community around suicide awareness and prevention. Semicolon tattoos can act as memorials, symbols of perseverance and conversation starters for people affected by suicide.

“In the English language, a semicolon continues a sentence,” Schoenhofer explained. “You could use a period to end the sentence. But instead you choose to use a semicolon and continue it.”

A variety of tattoo stencils are seen Sunday during “The story continues;” semicolon tattoo event at VISIONAIRE Barbershop &Tattoo Parlor in southeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette) — A variety of tattoo stencils are seen Sunday during “The story continues;” semicolon tattoo event at VISIONAIRE Barbershop & Tattoo Parlor in southeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

The atmosphere in the tattoo parlor Sunday was cheerful and relaxed as people stopped by to get inked. Hits by Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne played softly while tattoo artist Lindsay Shriver chatted with the people in her chair. She started collaborating with Foundation 2 on the events after two foundation employees came to her for unrelated tattoos.

“A lot of people treat tattoos like a therapy session,” Shriver said. “Ink therapy is very real.”

Shriver said two of her regular clients died by suicide. Others come in for tattoos to commemorate their own experiences with mental illness or loss. Shriver said she advocates for her clients who may be having suicidal thoughts by starting conversations with them about mental health.

“I don’t ever stop talking,” Shriver said. “So I can definitely speak up if you can’t.”

Lindsay Shriver tattoos a line Sunday through the “n’t Qu” in a “Don’t Quit” tattoo so it reads “Do it.” Coady Sierra, of Marion, was getting the tattoo Sunday during “The story continues;” event held at VISIONAIRE Barbershop &Tattoo Parlor in southeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette) — Lindsay Shriver tattoos a line Sunday through the “n’t Qu” in a “Don’t Quit” tattoo so it reads “Do it.” Coady Sierra, of Marion, was getting the tattoo Sunday during “The story continues;” event held at VISIONAIRE Barbershop & Tattoo Parlor in southeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Kristi Shannon drove to VISIONAIRE from Waverly to get a tiny semicolon on her wrist. She said her 14-year-old daughter picked out the design.

“My daughter’s been a big part in my healing, and she’s been encouraging me to do this,” Shannon said. “If she was of age, she would have been right here with me getting the same.”

Shannon is a member of Bremer County’s suicide prevention coalition. Five years ago, she said she was seriously considering suicide. She came close to acting on her thoughts, but seeing a plate of muffins her children left at her bedside motivated her to stay alive for them.

Shannon said she hopes her semicolon tattoo will serve as “walking outreach” as she continues her work.

“If one person can hear the story and make the decision to keep moving forward with their journey in life, me sharing has been worth it,” Shannon said.

Sunday’s event raised $2,000 and sent 36 people back into the world with small messages of hope marked on their bodies.

To get help

Call and talk to a trained, compassionate crisis counselor anytime, 24/7. Call (319) 362-2174 or 988. Options for texting or chatting available at the website of Foundation 2 Crisis Services.

Comments: fern.alling@thegazette.com

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