While every tattoo tells a story, a Self Harm Tattoo speaks volumes about resilience, recovery, and the journey from pain to healing. For many, choosing to get a tattoo over self-harm scars is a powerful act of reclaiming their bodies and rewriting their narratives. It’s about transforming a visible reminder of a difficult past into a symbol of hope and a testament to their strength. These tattoos can represent a commitment to self-harm recovery, acting as daily affirmations that stopping self-harm is not just possible, but a reality they are actively creating.
To illustrate the profound impact of these tattoos, we asked individuals within the mental health community to share the stories behind their self harm recovery tattoos. Each tattoo is a unique expression of personal struggle and triumph, demonstrating the diverse ways people choose to heal and move forward.
Here are their inspiring stories:
1. Out of the Woods: A Tattoo of Trees
A tattoo of trees
“This is my tattoo! I got it once I graduated high school to symbolize me being out of the woods and being free from the abuse and manipulation as well as the bullying I faced growing up,” shares Abs H. This tree tattoo represents a significant milestone, marking the end of a dark chapter and the beginning of a journey towards freedom and healing from past trauma and bullying.
2. Semicolon Birds: Choosing to Fight for Life
A tattoo of a semicolon turning into birds
Ashley N. explains the powerful symbolism behind her semicolon bird tattoo: “My tattoo is basically a ‘f*ck you’ to suicide. The semicolon represents the times where I could have ended everything, but I kept going instead. The birds represent each very important person to me who kept me here on this earth. Those who never give up on me no matter how low I go. Trying means you’re fighting. I want to fight every day.” This tattoo is a bold declaration of survival and a tribute to the support system that fueled her will to live and continue fighting against suicidal thoughts.
3. Riding the Waves: A Ship Tattoo for Self-Harm Scar Reclaiming
A tattoo of a ship
Melissa K. designed her ship tattoo as a profound act of body reclamation: “I just got this tattoo a week ago, and still have to go back to the artist to color and finish it. I designed this tattoo as a way to reclaim my body and skin from self-harm. I’ve had these self-harm scars for years, and hated how they drew attention and identified me. This tattoo is a promise to myself that I will ride through the waves of life, and I won’t jump ship when the tides get high. I am on my way to adventure, and I won’t my scars get in the way.” The ship symbolizes resilience and commitment to navigating life’s challenges without succumbing to self-destructive behaviors, choosing adventure over allowing scars to define her.
4. Heart Key: Unlocking Hope and Control
A tattoo of a heart-shaped key
Dayna L. got her first tattoo at 52, a heart with a key, expressing her enduring hope: “First one at age 52. Literal heart on my sleeve. Not giving up hope by symbolic attached key. Jewels are tears. The gold is nearly rusted shut. It took three and a half hours. It was no pain compared to what I continue to feel daily. To be truly honest — I liked the sensation and the damn control of needing no ones’ input.” This heart and key tattoo is a powerful symbol of not surrendering hope, even after years of struggle, and reclaiming personal agency. The jewels representing tears and the rusted gold add layers of depth to her story of enduring pain and seeking control.
5. Twenty One Pilots Arrows: Music as a Lifeline
a tattoo of an arrow
Braelyn S. shares the connection between her tattoos and music: “I have two, they are both Twenty One Pilots related, but that band has helped me through my darkest times.” These Twenty One Pilots inspired arrow tattoos serve as constant reminders of the music and artists that provided solace and strength during her most challenging moments, highlighting the power of music in mental health recovery.
6. Self-Love Heart: A Daily Reminder of Worth
a tattoo of a heart
Keelya G.’s heart tattoo is a daily affirmation of self-worth and love: “I used to scratch and just think horrible thoughts of dying constantly. But this helps remind me I need to love myself every day. No matter what happens, if I don’t love myself, I can’t love anyone else the way they need it.” This simple heart tattoo is a crucial reminder to prioritize self-love as a foundation for overall well-being and healthy relationships, directly combating past self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.
7. Fight Back For Your Life: A Reminder to Keep Fighting
tattoo that says,
Alejandro B.’s tattoo embodies a powerful mantra: “My latest, a little reminder. I had depression and social anxiety when I was young and I never realized that. Recently, I noticed every time a youth comes to me to talk about some mental disorder (now I’m a youth group coordinator) one of my favorite phrases to say is, ‘You have to fight back for your life.’ So, this is a little reminder to myself of that… Doesn’t matter what… I have to fight back!” This quote tattoo serves as a personal and professional reminder of resilience and the importance of actively fighting for one’s mental health, inspired by his own experiences and his role as a youth group coordinator.
8. Scars Fade, Story Continues: Lyrics and Semicolon
Tattoo with lyrics, semicolon and AKF initials
Jey S. combines multiple symbols of strength in her tattoos: “The large one is lyrics from La Dispute, ‘Scars will fade away but never disappear.’ The one on my wrist is a semicolon, to remind me to keep going and my story isn’t over yet. The AKF is for the campaign by Jared Padalecki, Always Keep Fighting.” These tattoos, featuring song lyrics, a semicolon, and the AKF initials, create a layered message of hope, perseverance, and the ongoing nature of her recovery journey, acknowledging past scars while focusing on a future worth fighting for.
9. Reaper Man Quote: Finding Hope in Music
Quote tattoo from Mother Mother's Reaper Man song
Carson Eileen A. found solace in music during dark times: “This photo was taken the day I got tatted, so excuse how red my arm looks. This tattoo is actually a quote from my favorite song by my favorite band (“Reaper Man” by Mother Mother, just in case anyone was wondering!). Mother Mother’s music was sometimes the only thing I could truly relate to in my darkest hours; they helped me feel less alone in my struggling, and gave me hope that I could succeed in life despite being a mess in the head.” This song lyric tattoo is a testament to the power of music to provide connection and hope during mental health struggles, acting as a reminder of resilience and the possibility of success despite internal challenges.
10. Warrior: Never Stop Fighting for Mental Health
Tattoo with the word warrior in script font
Chelsea S.’s “Warrior” tattoo is a powerful affirmation of ongoing strength: “I’ve recently started opening up about my mental health and just got this tattoo this week. It’s not just a reminder — warriors never stop fighting. So it reminds me to never stop fighting.” This “warrior” tattoo serves as a constant source of motivation and encouragement to persevere in her mental health journey, embracing the idea of continuous strength and resilience.
11. Antler Skull: Strength and Resilience Over Scars
An antler skull tattoo
Melissa K. (different from #3) chose an antler skull to cover old scars and symbolize her recovery: “I designed this tattoo to cover up the first cluster of scars I made in my early high school years. I got this after two years clean of self-harm, to symbolize the strength and resilience I needed to fight my way through recovery. I am still recovering every day, and having this reminder of the struggle I already endured helps me from falling into old habits.” This antler skull tattoo is a powerful symbol of overcoming past self-harm, representing the strength and resilience developed during recovery, and acting as a visual deterrent against relapse.
12. Artistic Tools: Writing, Painting, and Healing
A tattoo of a paintbrush, a pen and a pencil
Ashton P.’s tattoo of art supplies represents healing through creative expression: “I got this tattoo of a pencil, a pen and a paintbrush over old scars. For me, it represents my recovery and how I learned that writing and painting helped me cope. The pencil symbolizes my time in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where I was only allowed to have small golf pencils to write with. The pen symbolizes when I got out of inpatient and was in outpatient (finally allowed to use a pen!) and then the paintbrush symbolizes my recovery as a whole since I learned that painting helped me cope with emotions.” This tattoo beautifully illustrates the journey through different stages of mental health treatment, using artistic tools to symbolize coping mechanisms and the overall healing process.
13. This Too Shall Pass: Impermanence of Pain
tattoo that says this too shall past
Julia D.’s “This too shall pass” tattoo offers a timeless reminder of hope: “Started self-harming when I was in middle school. I’m now completely out of school, haven’t self-harmed in forever and about to be a momma! I’ve learned through the battles I still face every day that the bad moments, thoughts, emotions, feelings… everything negative basically, they pass. Even when I feel like it’s the end of the world, it’s going to pass.” This quote tattoo is a comforting affirmation of the temporary nature of suffering and the promise of change, reflecting her journey from self-harm to motherhood and ongoing resilience.
14. Owl Cover-Up: Protecting Joy from the Past
a tattoo of an owl
Kim M. chose an owl tattoo for both scar cover-up and symbolic reasons: “This owl covers a huge scar across my wrist so I don’t have to share my terrible secret with everyone who always asked what happened. I am not ashamed of what I did, but I don’t also want to remember the dark time that lead me there. My life is so full of love and joy now I don’t want to taint it with the bad.” This owl tattoo serves a dual purpose: concealing self-harm scars and symbolically protecting her present happiness from the shadows of her past, allowing her to embrace her joyful life fully.
15. Serotonin Molecule: Hope for Brain Chemistry
tattoo of a serotonin molecule
Kate M.’s serotonin molecule tattoo is both a reminder of past struggles and a hopeful symbol for the future: “I got this tattoo a couple weeks ago but have wanted it since I can remember… I got it on my left wrist where most of my self-harm scars are, so it’s a reminder of the bad times I got through and it’s also I reminder I can get through even more hard times. I also have a small hope that the tattoo is motivation for my brain to produce more serotonin lol.” This serotonin molecule tattoo, placed directly over self-harm scars, embodies resilience, hope for continued healing, and even a touch of humor about the complexities of brain chemistry in mental well-being.
16. Therapy Tree: A Sanctuary Within
a tattoo of a tree
Kerstin S.’s tree tattoo is deeply connected to her therapy: “I got this tree to remind me to not beat myself up in my head and think positive and compassionate about myself. It‘s also a reminder to treat myself well and give my body what it needs: good food, rest, exercise, sleep. The tree is a symbol we worked on in therapy. It‘s a place where I can sit and rest and get away from my negative thoughts.” This tree tattoo, developed in therapy, acts as a personal sanctuary, a visual cue to practice self-compassion, prioritize self-care, and find refuge from negative thoughts.
17. Hope and Love Fox: Band-Inspired Scar Cover
a tattoo of a fox
Grayce R.’s fox tattoo incorporates handwritten words of encouragement from musicians: “The ‘hope’ and ‘love’ were written out by the drummer and lead singer of We The Kings respectively. They cover old scars and are reminders there is hope and love in the world. That band got me through the worst years. Additionally, I get tattoos on my arms to prevent relapses.” This unique fox tattoo combines scar cover-up with the powerful messages of hope and love, personally inscribed by artists who helped her through difficult times, and serves as a proactive measure against relapse.
18. Thorny Rose: Beauty Amidst Struggle
A flower tattoo
Kailey D.’s rose tattoo embodies the idea of beauty emerging from hardship: “I like to think that anything beautiful can go through bad things. Like a rose can have a few thorns, but can still be beautiful. We can have a few scars but are still beautiful.” This rose tattoo, with its thorns, is a metaphor for personal beauty and resilience, acknowledging past scars as part of a beautiful and complex whole, emphasizing self-acceptance and inner beauty.
19. Don’t Give Up Quote: Band Support in Recovery
tattoo that reads: Don
Abby A.’s tattoo features lyrics from All Time Low, a band that personally supported her: “My latest tattoo is a quote from All Time Low’s song, ‘Missing You.’ It talks about how when you feel so alone and lost in the world, to never give up and to keep fighting. It was released after I met the band, and they hugged me so hard when they saw my arms and spoke to me about it. Alex and Jack told me to never give up, and that things will pass with time — and that I can recover. When the song was released, it spoke to me on every level. I now look at this tattoo every time I feel like giving up, and remember my heroes are supporting my recovery 100 percent.” This quote tattoo, tied to a personal encounter with band members who encouraged her recovery, is a powerful source of ongoing support and motivation, reminding her of her heroes’ belief in her strength.
20. Song Lyric Heart: Music for Dark Hours
a back tattoo of a heart
Jess D.’s back heart tattoo incorporates meaningful song lyrics: “Song lyrics from two songs that get me through some dark hours.” This heart tattoo, filled with song lyrics, serves as a portable playlist of comfort and strength, offering solace and resilience during difficult times, highlighting the therapeutic power of music.
21. Weakest Days, Stronger Self: A Daily Affirmation
tattoo that says,
Jaclyn C.’s tattoo offers a simple yet powerful affirmation: “’Even on my weakest days I get a little bit stronger’ on my arm.” This quote tattoo provides a daily dose of encouragement, reminding her of her inherent strength and continuous growth, even during moments of vulnerability, promoting a positive self-perception.
22. Stay Strong Semicolon: Project and Personal Promise
tattoo that reads stay strong
Morgan L.’s “Stay Strong” semicolon tattoo combines a project symbol with a personal commitment: “’Stay Strong;’ Of course the semicolon is for the Semicolon Project, but I got these when I made a promise to myself to Stay Strong. When I want to self-harm, I look down and remember to Stay Strong and that my story isn’t near over yet.” This “Stay Strong” and semicolon tattoo is a dual symbol: connecting her to the wider Semicolon Project movement for suicide prevention and acting as a personal pact to remain strong and continue her life journey, even when facing urges to self-harm.
23. Sylvia Plath Grounding: Anchoring in the Present
tattoo that reads: i am, i am, i am
Jalayne S.’s tattoo features a grounding quote from Sylvia Plath: “This is part of a Sylvia Plath quote. It helps ground me, so I’m not having urges to self-harm.” This “I am, I am, I am” quote tattoo, inspired by Sylvia Plath, serves as a grounding anchor, bringing her back to the present moment and helping to manage urges to self-harm through mindfulness and self-awareness.
24. Semicolon Best Friends: Shared Journey and Support
Taylor B. and her best friend share semicolon tattoos, symbolizing mutual support: “Me and my best friend got a semicolon type tattoo for my journey through self-harm and suicidal attempts.” These matching semicolon tattoos represent a shared journey and the power of friendship in navigating mental health challenges, creating a bond of understanding and mutual support in their recovery processes.
25. You Will Be OK: Boyfriend’s Calming Words
tattoo that reads: you will be OK
Breanna B.’s tattoo is a comforting message from her boyfriend: “What my boyfriend says to me to calm me down.” This “You will be OK” tattoo, inspired by her boyfriend’s reassuring words, serves as a source of comfort and calm during moments of anxiety or distress, externalizing a supportive voice as a permanent reminder of reassurance.
26. Complicated Beauty: Embracing Uniqueness
Quote tattoo from My So Called Life
Sherene B.’s tattoo features a quote from “My So-Called Life,” reflecting self-acceptance: “This quote I got from an episode of ‘My So Called Life.’ This was probably one of my favorite TV shows in high school. I was diagnosed with depression and then with panic disorder during my college years. This quote always stood out to me because although I wasn’t diagnosed at the time, I always felt different from my peers. But now as I’m older and I understand my disorders better, I’ve come to realize everyone is unique. Being complicated is what makes us humans and that is the most beautiful thing ever.” This quote tattoo from a formative TV show encapsulates the journey towards self-acceptance and embracing the beauty of human complexity, inspired by her experiences with depression and panic disorder.
27. Hope Foot Tattoo: Moving Forward After Relapse
A tattoo on a foot that reads hope
T.C.’s “Hope” foot tattoo is a reminder of resilience even after relapse: “My semicolon not only represents surviving my suicide attempt last year, but it reminds me every day of the hope that’s there… despite the struggle when emotions are intense and urges to self-harm arise. I recently relapsed in self-harm and looking at my tattoo reminds me it’s OK to keep moving forward in recovery after a relapse.” This “Hope” tattoo, combined with a semicolon, is a powerful symbol of ongoing hope and the acceptance of setbacks in the recovery process, emphasizing that relapse does not negate progress and continued forward movement is possible.
28. And So She Goes On: Perseverance Tattoo
tattoo that says, and so she goes on
K.L.’s “And so she goes on” tattoo is a simple yet profound statement of perseverance: “The tattoo I got to remind me I can go on no matter what.” This quote tattoo is a concise and powerful reminder of inner strength and the ability to continue moving forward through any challenge, fostering resilience and determination.
29. Handwritten Semicolon: Strength in Vulnerability
Tattoo on a person
Mae’s first tattoo is a handwritten semicolon, deeply personal and meaningful: “This is my first tattoo, used as a scar cover-up. I chose the semicolon due to my history with suicide and my mentor told me the words as an affirmation all the time when I hurt. It’s in my handwriting to remind me I am strong.” This handwritten semicolon tattoo, used as a scar cover-up, adds a layer of personal vulnerability and strength, with the handwritten element emphasizing self-affirmation and inner resilience, inspired by a supportive mentor.
30. Scars To Your Beautiful Lyrics: Dreams and Dogs
Tattoo with the words
Mae (same as #29) also has a tattoo with lyrics from Alessia Cara’s song: “These are lyrics from Alesia Cara’s ‘Scars To Your Beautiful’ that was on replay during some of my darkest times. I had them tattooed with paw prints to represent my dogs and the dandelion to represent dreams to remind me to not give up yet.” These “Scars To Your Beautiful” lyrics, combined with paw prints and a dandelion, create a multi-layered tattoo of self-acceptance, love for her dogs, and the enduring power of dreams, inspired by music that resonated during her darkest times.
31. A Life Worth Living: DBT and Recovery Journey
Tattoo across the inside of an arm with the words
Megan G.’s tattoo celebrates her borderline personality recovery journey: “When I started my borderline personality recovery journey, I decided to get a tattoo after a year of treatment. As an homage to Marsha Linehan and my time in dialectical behavior therapy, I decided to include the phrase ‘a life worth living.’ The tattoo also includes a semicolon, notes my journey towards recovery, and is written in a friend’s handwriting so they’re ‘always with me.’” This “A life worth living” tattoo, incorporating a semicolon, DBT reference, and a friend’s handwriting, is a comprehensive symbol of her recovery from borderline personality disorder, acknowledging therapy, personal journey, and ongoing support.
These self harm tattoos are more than just ink on skin; they are powerful symbols of survival, resilience, and hope. They represent the courage to confront pain, the commitment to heal, and the beautiful transformation of scars into stories of strength. For anyone considering a self harm tattoo, these stories offer inspiration and validation, highlighting the profound personal impact these tattoos can have on the journey to recovery.
