‘We don’t just ink skin’: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of tattoo artists responding to their clients’ mental health disclosures

AIMS: This research analysed the lived experiences of tattoo artists in response to clients' mental health-related disclosures. The aim was to explore the potential public mental health function and impact they might have and the impact on them in providing this. METHODS: Narrative interviews were undertaken with tattoo artists, inviting them to tell their stories in relation to working as a tattoo artist and responding to disclosures about mental health. Fifteen participants were successfully recruited and interviewed, and their audio-transcribed interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Among the rich data available from the stories, five themes emerged: tattoo therapy, tattoo artist and client relationship, tattoo studio environment, impact on tattoo artists, and training opportunities. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that tattoo artists are spending large amounts of time and emotional labour in talking about mental health with their clients, serving as an under-appreciated public mental health resource. Tattoo artists are often lacking training and support to manage these disclosures and their own emotional responses.