Hundreds of Hatters came out to get tattoos to show support for mental health. $10,000 was raised on Saturday to support mental health initiatives in the community ( Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

$10,000 raised

Hatters get inked on World Mental Health Day

Oct 10, 2020 | 7:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- Hundreds of Hatters lined up outside Gas City Tattoos for the chance to get inked and donate some money on World Mental Health Day.

The event is the second of its’ kind with the first tattoo event being held in late August. The event drew in hundreds of people who lined up around the building all wanting to support mental health.

“They were overwhelmed and they had hundreds of people come through but Falefitu tattoed for 12, 13 hours and he was only able to do 80 tattoos which is still a lot because we are still following all of our proper protocols for sterilization,” said Gas City Tattoo’s owner Jeff Schmidt.

With the first event a resounding success, organizers brought in more hands-on-deck for the second round. Eleven tattoo artists donated their skills and time on Saturday to help with the cause, with six artists from Gas City Tattoos and five artists from other local studios.

Like the first event, the community came out to support, with over 400 people turning out to get tattooed, some waiting as far as the Allowance Avenue overpass to get inked.

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Every participant that came through to get a tattoo received a semi-colon, which holds a special meaning for mental health.

“For a lot of people it is just a new beginning, and just saying their story is not over,” said Schmidt.

Gas City tattoos set a goal to raise $10,000 through the event and they reached their goal just after 6:00 p.m.

All money raised through donations goes to support Medicine Hat Family Services and SARC.