Tattoo Artist Tal Booker Discusses Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Experience

“Sharing a problem can significantly reduce its weight,” says Tal Booker, tattoo artist and brother to reality TV personality Eyal Booker.

Tal Booker, known as a "wounded healer," has candidly opened up about his personal battles with mental health, emphasizing that it’s perfectly normal to face struggles. In a recent interview, he shared his journey towards self-acceptance and the importance of mental health awareness in the LGBTQ+ community.

In early 2023, Tal was appointed as an ambassador for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), an organization dedicated to suicide prevention which provides helplines and online resources to those in need. He discovered CALM in 2018 during a seminar, which was a pivotal moment for him as it was the first time he heard other men openly discussing their experiences with depression and mental health challenges.

Tal openly admits to grappling with addiction, his sexuality, and suicidal thoughts, sharing the tragic loss of his 19-year-old cousin to suicide as a driving force behind his advocacy. These experiences have kept the topic of suicide close to Tal throughout his life.

His role as a CALM ambassador is a significant honor for Tal, as it allows him to amplify voices surrounding mental health and suicide prevention. He believes deeply in the power of dialogue and the importance of breaking down the stigmas associated with mental health issues.

Tal has consistently been forthright about his ongoing journey to accept his identity as a gay man. In conversations with his brother on their podcast, "It’s Not That Deep," he explained the perpetual need to "come out" repeatedly, urging everyone to challenge homophobia in all its forms, even when it’s disguised as humor.

He describes his path to self-acceptance as a continuous "work in progress." The feelings, as he notes, are deeply ingrained and require considerable effort to deconstruct and transform. Tal emphasizes that his journey is more about personal acceptance rather than seeking validation from others. Fortunately, he is surrounded by incredibly supportive people who aid him in this process.

Highlighting broader mental health issues within the LGBTQ+ community, Tal references studies showing that queer women and transgender individuals face disproportionately high rates of suicide and mental health challenges. According to a 2016 survey, one in five people will experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.

Tal stresses the necessity of creating safe spaces where people can understand they are not alone in their struggles. He believes that by being more transparent about our struggles, we can bridge the understanding gap between those who struggle and those who are able to provide support, ultimately fostering better environments for everyone.

He suggests a shift in focus towards those who can be allies, advocating for a change in narrative from speaking only to those who are struggling to also engaging those who can offer support and understanding.

Through his work as a tattoo artist, Tal has created a “safe space” for his clients, believing that tattoos allow him to express his story without needing to verbalize it repeatedly. In support of CALM, he is organizing a 24-hour tattoo-athon from June 6 to June 7 to raise funds for the charity. This initiative not only supports CALM’s mission but also brings Tal immense joy and fulfillment in providing meaningful art to his clients.

Additional details about the tattoo-athon and Tal’s ongoing initiatives can be accessed by subscribing to CALM’s newsletter.

If you or someone you know is dealing with similar issues, CALM offers confidential support and resources at thecalmzone.net.