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PEOPLE & ARTS A29
Saturday 29 April 2017
‘13 Reasons’ sparks criticism of teen suicide depiction
MARK KENNEDY Association of School Psy-
chologists declaring, “We
AP Entertainment Writer do not recommend that
vulnerable youth, especial-
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a ly those who have any de-
gree of suicidal ideation,
scene as painful to watch watch this series.”
Critics of the show argue
as it is graphic: A 17-year- that depression and men-
tal illness — keys to under-
old girl climbs into a bath- standing suicide — are
rarely mentioned and the
tub with a razor. We see fact that its heroine, Han-
nah, gets to tell her story
her slice into her skin, we after her death sends a po-
tentially dangerous mes-
see the blood pour out, sage.
The Jed Foundation and
hear her cry and struggle Suicide Awareness Voic-
es of Education joined
to breathe. Then she is still. forces to create 13 talk-
ing points for young adults
The suicide of the heroine and guardians to discuss
while watching the series,
in Netflix’s new popular including warnings that the
way the counselor is por-
series “13 Reasons Why” trayed is “not typical” and
that “leaving messages
shouldn’t come as a shock, from beyond the grave is a
dramatization produced in
since it’s depicted in the fi- Hollywood.”
School systems across the
nal episode of a series built country are alerting par-
ents, making them aware
around the character’s that their teens may be
streaming the series, urg-
death. But knowing that it ing them to watch it with
them, and providing infor-
is coming doesn’t make it mation to help them talk
about it.
any easier. In the upstate New York
community of Grand Is-
That stomach-turning land, school administra-
tors warned that the series
scene has triggered criti- This image released by Netflix shows Katherine Langford in a scene from the series, “13 Reasons “sensationalizes suicide.”
Why,” about a teenager who commits suicide. Indiana’s largest school
cism that it romanticizes sui- district warned in an email
Associated Press that the series “does not
cide and prompted many accurately model what we
would want or hope indi-
schools across the country viduals do if they are strug-
gling or in crisis.”
to send warning letters to feel very strongly that we The 13-episode drama, stance abuse and bullying. In Maryland, principals in
did the exact opposite,” co-produced by actress Per usual, Netflix released the Montgomery County
parents and guardians. said writer Brian Yorkey, and singer Selena Gomez, all 13 hours of the series at public school system no-
who won a Tony Award is based on Jay Asher’s once — on March 31 — ticed teens talking about
The show’s creators are and a Pulitzer Prize for the young-adult 2007 bestseller leaving suicide prevention the series and wanted to
musical “Next to Normal,” about a high school stu- specialists worried teens make sure parents had re-
unapologetic, saying their which grappled with men- dent who kills herself and might binge the entire se- sources to handle tough
tal illness. “What we did leaves behind 13 audio- ries without a chance to questions. A warning let-
frank depiction needs to was portray suicide and tapes detailing the events fully absorb the issues and ter and links to resources
we portrayed it as very ugly that led to her death, in- ask questions. They also say eventually went out to all
be “unflinching and raw.” and very damaging.” cluding sexual assault, sub- they wish the show would 35,000 middle schoolers.
consistently flash the Na- “There’s a lot to take in
“Many people are accus- tional Suicide Prevention and digest. If you’re a
hotline. young, growing mind be-
ing the show of glamorizing “Graphic details about sui- ing informed by what you
cide we know historically see, this could have an im-
suicide and I feel strongly are not recommended,” pact,” said Derek Turner,
said Phyllis Alongi, the clini- spokesman for the district.
— and I think everyone cal director of The Society “So we’re giving them tips
for the Prevention of Teen and tools.”q
who made the show — Suicide . “I understand
what the producers are
saying but it could really
be unsafe and I think we
need to be a little more re-
sponsible.”
Netflix and the show cre-
ators point out that sev-
eral mental health pro-
fessionals were consulted
and they offer a 30- min-
ute show called “Beyond
the Reasons” that delves
deeper into the tougher
topics portrayed, as well as
a site with links to resources.
The show is rated TV-MA,
which means is may be
unsuitable for children un-
der 17, and three episodes
that contain explicit mate-
rial have “viewer discretion
advised” warnings.
But some mental health
professionals are going
further, with the National
