Katherine Langford in a scene from the series, “13 Reasons Why,” about a teenager who commits suicide. The stomach-turning suicide scene has triggered criticism from some mental health advocates that it romanticizes suicide and even promoted many schools across the country to send warning letters to parents and guardians.
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As the popularity of a Netflix teen drama that centers around a student’s suicide continues to soar among young audiences, officials from Hawaii public and private schools have been alerting parents to the graphic content of the show and encouraging healthy discussions around the sensitive topic.
In the fictional series “13 Reasons Why,” 17-year-old Hannah Baker kills herself after being the victim of bullying and sexual assault, and leaves behind audiotapes for the people she holds responsible. The character describes the tapes as both justification for ending her life and blackmail of the peers she blames.
Since the show’s episodes were released on the streaming service March 31, the series has come under intense criticism from some mental health experts who say it glorifies suicide and could lead to copycat behavior, especially among at-risk youth. Others, including the show’s creators, say the series serves as a valuable driver for starting important conversations.
The National Association of School Psychologists issued guidance advising vulnerable youth not to watch the series.
“Producers for the show say they hope the series can help those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide,” the association said on its website. “However, the series, which many teenagers are binge watching without adult guidance and support, is raising concerns from suicide prevention experts about the potential risks posed by the sensationalized treatment of youth suicide. The series graphically depicts a suicide death and addresses in wrenching detail a number of difficult topics, such as bullying, rape, drunk driving, and slut shaming,” which refers to shaming or attacking girls for engaging in behavior judged to be promiscuous.
In an accompanying documentary Netflix created called “Beyond the Reasons,” Brian Yorkey, creator of the series, says, “We did want it to be painful to watch because we wanted it to be very clear that there is nothing, in any way, worthwhile about suicide.”
State Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi sent a letter Tuesday to all public school parents and guardians, warning them of the show’s content. Several private schools, including Punahou School and Mid Pacific Institute, also have contacted parents.
“We have serious concerns about the graphic elements in the series that are inconsistent with messages that protect mental and emotional well-being, as well as content that is for mature audiences,” Matayoshi wrote. “Children and youth who watch this series will need supportive adults to process it.”
Donalyn Dela Cruz, spokeswoman for the DOE, said the letter was prompted by concerns from school principals.
“The reason for the letter was to bring it to the attention of parents,” Dela Cruz said. “Our understanding is that this was becoming a popular show with young adults from middle school to high school and even down into fifth grade. … We wanted to ensure that there is some discussion taking place, should their children be watching this.”
After receiving the letter, a Kapolei Middle School parent said she found out from her son that a teacher had been showing episodes in class without prior parental consent. Dela Cruz said the DOE addressed the issue and believes it was an isolated incident within the department.
The DOE says schools have counselors, social workers, school-based behavioral health specialists and clinical psychologists available to support students.
CJ Rice, the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) coordinator for youth mental health first-aid training, helps train DOE staff to recognize and respond to signs of distress and anxiety among youth. Rice, who also serves on the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force, said she hasn’t watched any of the Netflix episodes, but has overall concerns about it.
“With ‘13 Reasons Why’ there’s been a concern both nationally and locally because of the subject matter that is there,” Rice said. “Any time we discuss suicide, it’s a very serious matter. And the important thing is not to sensationalize it, not to give inaccurate information.”
She encouraged any youth dealing with depression or other mental or emotional stress to reach out to an adult they trust. Nationally, she said, 1 in 5 youths have a mental health problem that affects their quality of life.
“Oftentimes they don’t know what this feeling is or what they’re going through, and they have a hard time explaining it,” Rice said.
A crisis “text line” is available 24 hours a day that anyone may text — 741741 — to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. To speak with a crisis counselor, call 832-3100 on Oahu or 800-753-6879 from the neighbor islands.
The growing complaints about the series prompted Netflix to announce this week that it will change its warning messaging. Currently there are warnings before the last few episodes, which depict a sexual assault and the character’s suicide. The show carries a TV-MA rating for mature content.
“Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series and have also strengthened the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter, including the URL 13ReasonsWhy.info — a global resource center that provides information about professional organizations that support help around the serious matters addressed in the show,” Netflix said in a statement.
