A tattoo artist is using her talent to raise mental health awareness for suicide prevention, after battling her own personal struggles for many years.

Sara Titmuss, who lives in Stevenage, has so far tattooed more than 60 clients with semicolons - either incorporated into a design or standalone - as part of an awareness campaign by SAPUK (Suicide Awareness / Prevention UK).

The non-profit organisation has teamed up with tattoo artists around the world for The Semicolon Tattoo Project, which allows people to get a £10 semicolon tattoo - raising awareness of suicide prevention, as well as raising donations.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life."

She added: "Getting this tattoo is not only beneficial to you, but it is beneficial to others too - it's a conversation starter."

Sara said: "I'm a mental health sufferer myself and have been for many years. Generally, I run offers in October - Mental Health Awareness Month - but I saw an appeal for tattoo artists for this project and I jumped at the chance."

The Comet: There are a range of designs incorporating a semicolon to choose fromThere are a range of designs incorporating a semicolon to choose from (Image: Sara Titmuss)

Not satisfied with a one-day event though, Sara has committed to nine days during April creating semicolon tattoos for clients and has so far tattooed 64 people and raised more than £600.

She said: "The initial slots booked up quickly, so I decided to do it for nine days, as I want to raise as much money and awareness as possible. I'm hoping to reach 100 semicolon tattoos before I finish.

"These tattoos tell people who might be struggling with their mental health that that person is open to talk to, if you want to.

"I encourage openly talking about mental health issues with my customers. I find if I talk about my own experiences, it opens things up for other people to share.

"My studio is calming, homely and a safe space for people."

For more information about SAPUK, or to make a donation, visit suicideapuk.co.uk.

For mental health crisis support, you can call NHS 111 (option 2), the Samaritans free 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.