In April 2017, Selena Gomez, alongside the cast of the Netflix hit series “13 Reasons Why,” received a semicolon tattoo, marking a significant moment of solidarity and support. As an executive producer for the show, adapted from Jay Asher’s novel “Thirteen Reasons Why,” Selena played a crucial role in bringing this poignant story to the screen. The series delves into the life of Hannah Baker, a high school student who tragically dies by suicide, leaving behind tapes detailing her struggles and the events that led to her decision.
The semicolon symbol has risen to prominence as an emblem of suicide prevention, largely thanks to the non-profit organization Project Semicolon. This organization chose the semicolon to represent a crucial point in life – a moment where a sentence could have ended, but continued. It’s a powerful metaphor for lives that could have been lost to suicide but, through hope and resilience, found a way to continue. Project Semicolon describes itself as a “movement dedicated to presenting hope and love for those who are struggling with mental illness, suicide, addiction and self-injury,” reminding individuals that “your story is not over.”
Selena Gomez’s tattoo is a testament to this message of hope. It serves as a visible symbol of support for those grappling with mental health challenges, letting them know they are not alone and that brighter days are possible. Selena herself has been open about her personal battles with anxiety and depression, understanding firsthand the importance of seeking help and the reality that mental health can improve. She is a vocal advocate for therapy, particularly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which she credits with transforming her life. In an interview with Vogue, Selena shared, “DBT has completely changed my life. I wish more people would talk about therapy.”
Further amplifying her commitment, Selena participated in a special “Beyond The Reasons” episode, a companion piece to the “13 Reasons Why” finale. In this episode, she directly addresses viewers, urging them to seek help instead of considering suicide as an option. She emphasized, “Suicide should never, ever be an option…It’s absolutely treatable. Anxiety is. Depression is. Talk therapy, treatment centers, there’s a million ways that you can find help…There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying that you need help.” She also directed viewers to 13reasonswhy.info, a resource for finding local support organizations.
While “13 Reasons Why” has faced criticism for potentially glorifying suicide, with some arguing that Hannah Baker should have sought help instead, Selena has defended the show’s raw and honest portrayal of teenage struggles. She connected deeply with the “tragically beautiful” story upon reading the book and believes the series can be a catalyst for people to seek the help they need.
Selena was joined in getting the semicolon tattoo by “13 Reasons Why” cast members Alisha Boe (Jessica) and Tommy Dorfman (Ryan). They had independently planned to get the tattoos, and Selena, upon learning of their intentions, asked to join them. Executive producers Joy Gorman Wettels and Kristel Laiblin had also received semicolon tattoos the week prior, underscoring the collective dedication to the project’s message of hope and mental health awareness.
