A Duo of local businesses has been doing their part to help the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The local Boston Pizza restaurant served up heart-shaped pizzas for the month of February and over $700 was raised for mental health.

Similarly, High Energy tatoo is currently in the process of donating a portion of the proceeds from every semicolon tattoo done to this worthwhile cause as owner and artist Geoff Tedrick (Teddy) explain. 

"It's a big thing, It's a big deal and it needs to be spoken about so any kind of advertising, any help we can send that way we are absolutely going to do it because it's obviously a big issue in the world especially these days with COVID going on and people are worried about that. A little tattoo like that sure seems to help people."

The semicolon tattoo movement was started by Amy Bluel who tragically ended her life by suicide. Bluel believed that you are the author of your life and a semicolon is a tool used by an author when a sentence could end but the author chooses for the sentence to go on. The semicolon now serves as a symbol of hope and understanding. 

Jacqui Williams, Executive Director at the Swift Current Mental Health Association highlights what it means for businesses to provide this support.

"It speaks to the fact that people are recognizing that mental health and mental health issues are a common problem and that many people are affected. So the impact on individuals in the community when they are working at different businesses, it puts us at the forefront."

High Energy Tattoos has been involved for the past couple of years and last year managed to raise $1500 .

Williams says she deeply appreciates these businesses for putting a highlight on mental health issues, mental health services, and the opportunity to eat away at the stigma.