25 Mental Health Tattoo Ideas to Try

If you’re looking for mental health tattoo ideas, here are a few places to start:

1. Self Care Tattoo

“This is my daily reminder to take time to take care of me – to engage in self care. We all have a people depending on us – our family, our spouses, our coworkers, etc. But we have to take care of ourselves so we can be at our best for them. Marshawn Lynch famously said, ‘So, while y’all at it right now, take care y’all bodies, take care y’all chicken, ya feel me, take care y’all mentals, cuz we ain’t lasting that long.’ In my mind, that’s all about self care. ” – Anonymous, Self Care Knuckle Tattoo

2. Unalome Tattoo

“This is a Buddhist symbol for the Path to Enlightenment and serves as a reminder that throughout life’s journey we often find ourselves wandering about and eventually find our way. This is my personal reminder to keep trying and keep wandering, every single day.” – Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW

3. Serotonin Tattoo

“To me, it’s about breaking the stigma of antidepressants. When someone asks what chemical it is, I explain its serotonin and what it actually is and what it does in the body.” – Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C

4. ADHD Tattoo

ADHD can look a lot like constantly feeling scatterbrained or having a constantly busy mind. This tattoo design from penrose.ink illustrates the feeling well with this simple but effective line-art design.

5. Spoons

Spoon theory is a popular way to describe how chronic illness, including mental health, can affect a person’s ability to do daily tasks. The idea is that all tasks require “spoons,” and when a person is struggling with a physical or mental illness, they don’t always have enough spoons to get through the day. This tattoo design pays homage to the idea.

6. Still Growing

Healing is a journey, and there’s always room for change. Andrew Vargo created this design for those who struggle with being compassionate to themselves for who they are or for perceived shortcomings, there may be a benefit to having a tattoo to remind them that like every plant, they’re still growing.

7. Be Good To Yourself

Inner voices can be the worst critics and an obstacle to practicing self-love. Artist frenchtoast.ghost said this tattoo design came from the idea of feeling stuck in life while proud of themselves at the same time. “And I think that’s okay. I think it’s okay to not be where I want to be yet, to have something to work towards, but to also be at peace with where I am now and all the decisions that have gotten me to this point. I am good enough, and so are you.”

8. Semicolon

Semicolons are a popular tattoo idea for suicide awareness: they represent the idea that your story is not over. Plus, their simplicity lends itself to a  few creative ideas. We saw butterflies, rainbows, and even ones that grow into a plant like this one from Rick Sanchez.

9. Trapped in Your Own Head

Lisa Loewen created this design for a client who wanted something to represent her mental health struggles. “You sometimes can get trapped in your mind, feeling like you’re being tied down, unable to think of feel. But the growth also comes from the inside and training your mind to be stronger than your emotions,” the client shares.

10. Still Worthy

LivingLunaCreations does simple, sketchy designs with positive affirmations. This design reminds those with perfectionist tendencies or anxious thoughts are still worth time, attention, and affection.

11. There’s Enough Time

Another from LivingLunaCreations, this falling-apart clock design is good for anxious thinkers who feel like there’s constantly not enough time to do the things they need to do.

12. The Sun Will Rise Again

When someone is struggling in a difficult circumstance, when they’re feeling overwhelmed, overcome with stress, or depressed, it’s hard to remember that things can, and often do, get better. But the sun comes up every day, and there’s always a new chance for healing and happiness. This design by Callmecynthia.official visualizes the idea.

13. Don’t Let Your Story End

Another one by Cynthia, this design, with its nature imagery and statement-focused design, can be both a message about suicide awareness as well as the hopeful promise that things can, and often do, get better with time.

14. Deep Breaths

If you practice mindfulness or just want a peaceful reminder to take a moment for yourself, this anxiety-inspired piece from Soeur Louve on Instagram provides this soothing visual.

15. Body Positivity

If you struggle with body image or self-love, then you may appreciate these body-positive tattoo ideas from charbirdtattoo_ that feature a range of body shapes and floral motifs.

16. You Are Enough

You may also appreciate some of charbirdtattoos_’ other designs that include encouraging or meaningful phrases like “Breathe” and “You Are Enough.”

17. Balance

This mental health tattoo by Billy Haydock of Rad Ink Florida illustrates how mental health is just as important as physical health, and that, like most things in life, improved well-being requires a balance between the two. With one half of the image showing an anatomical brain and the other half a garden, it shows that balance promotes self-care, and that it’s important to be both logical and creative.

18. It’s Okay to Be Sad

This adorable tattoo by studiomilaa is perfect for someone who is interested in emotions and mental health in general, or someone who has dealt with mental health challenges in their life. It depicts a frowning flower and the words, “It’s Okay To Be Sad.” In many ways, it’s socially acceptable or even promoted to ignore uncomfortable feelings like sadness; however, it’s just another feeling that deserves to be felt. This tattoo embraces that!

19. Be Still

This delicate finger tattoo is all about the importance of mindfulness – breathing, being present, and being still – especially when you start to get overwhelmed or anxious in your day-to-day life. Tattoo artist Joanna Roman says, “These tiny tattoos are really popular,” reminding people that small things can have big meaning. All it takes is a glance down at your hand and you’re reminded of the importance of stillness.

20. Transformation

This picture depicts another tiny tattoo by Joanna Roman. Butterflies are typically symbolic of personal growth and transformation, making them the perfect imagery for anyone who has struggled with and triumphed over their unique mental health struggles. This artwork reminds people that they always have the ability to evolve into something even stronger and more vibrant.

21. Peace in Change

The well-loved tattoo artist Ghinkos created this tattoo – a combination of a wave and a crescent moon – to tell a deeper story. She tells her Instagram followers that this image is representative of the journey toward finding peace even amidst constant change. She says, “Sometimes strength isn’t in magnificence or burning passion, but being a light in the dark.”

22. And Still I Rise

Tattoos can be elegant reminders of ways to cope with things like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Beautiful script or a meaningful piece of poetry can be permanently uplifting. For example, in the picture above, Joanna Roman crafted the line from Maya Angelou’s poem, “And Still I Rise.” There’s no shame in continuing to stand back up every time you fall.

23. Lotus and Willow

This lotus and willow by Rachel Ulm, a tattoo artist from Tattoo Temple in New Orleans, depicts the concept of metamorphosis, similar to the butterfly. But this flower is also all about rebirth. The artwork itself is a metaphor for anyone who has struggled with any kind of mental health challenge, including low self-worth. Most Eastern religions use the image of the lotus to signify resilience and personal development.

24. The Koi Fish

In traditional Chinese and Japanese myths and legends, a koi fish swims up a swift river despite its strong currents, eventually making it to the top of a waterfall. The story itself represents the value of determination. For this reason, the koi tattoo (this one done by the artist Reyhan Beyenirsoy Tırmıkçı) makes a meaningful reminder for anyone who has ever overcome challenges related to mental health or their overall well-being.

25. Neither Hell nor Heaven Will Prevent Me From Healing

This tattoo by Erica Vines says, “Neither hell nor heaven will prevent me from healing.” Inspirational phrases like this remind people of the power of the written word. This mental health tattoo packs a punch, reminding anyone who sees it that they can (and will!) make it through any hardship. Like the old adage says, “This too shall pass.”

When to See a therapist

Tattoos can be a meaningful part of your healing journey, should you decide to get one. But they’re not a replacement for therapy.

A lot of people spend too much asking themselves, “Do I really need therapy?”  Instead, think about much more satisfying life could be if you could dial your anxiety down or feel depressed less frequently and with not so low of lows.

If you’re struggling with your daily tasks, feel hopeless, or suffer any other mental illness, it may be time to see a trained professional. A therapist can help you unpack complicated or difficult emotions and help you get to a better place. When you’re ready, find an online therapist and get started on the project of healing.