These temporary tattoos are helping people living with mental health issues
A psychology graduate from London has created a series of self-care temporary Band-Aid tattoos to help people living with mental health issues.
Francesca Timbers was inspired to create the products after dealing with depression and anxiety during her final year of university. Initially, she created the stickers and tattoos to help motivate herself throughout her day. When she posted photos on social media, friends told her that they wanted some too, so she began making more designs.
The tattoos aren't designed to be a replacement for professional treatment, but rather as a way to help people cope when living with mental health issues. She hopes that if people spot a friend or family member wearing a tattoo, they will know that the individual will need extra support that day.
"The temporary tattoos serve as little pick-me-ups and reminders throughout daily life. It's also a symbol, a way to connect people, and spread awareness of mental health," she continues.
Timbers says that because the tattoos are visible on a person's skin they're effective as a constant reminder throughout the day. "Because it's constantly there on your skin, it's harder to ignore," says Timbers.
Timbers says that in her experience the most helpful part has been the connection the tattoos have created with other people.
"Dealing with my mental illness has been one of the loneliest experiences of my life, so realising there are other people out there, who feel the same, and connecting with them over this project has been amazing," says Timbers.
A box of 15 tattoos featuring Timbers' hand-drawn illustrations are available to buy from Etsy for £4.75 ($6.14). The designs are inscribed with the words "love yourself," "treat yourself," "you are worth it," "believe in yourself," and "you are cute."
Timbers says the response to the tattoos has been "quite overwhelming."
"Sometimes a customer will email me a photo of their tattoo with their story, and I'll wear the same tattoo that day, and send them a photo back," said Timbers.
"It's like a sign of solidarity and support, even if it's with someone on the other side of the planet," she said.
Topics Health Mental Health Social Good
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
