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13 Reasons Why: a Harmful Representation of Mental Illness ​

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13 Reasons Why: a Harmful Representation of Mental Illness ​ 13 Reasons Why: A Harmful Representation of Mental Illness ​ Megan Carlson The current craze for teenagers is a new Netflix original show, 13 Reasons Why, based ​ ​ on the book of the same title by Jay Asher. The show is centered around Clay Jensen, who has been sent thirteen tapes from his former friend, Hannah Baker, after she ends her own life. The show follows him as he tries to figure out why she decided to commit suicide. Netflix says the purpose of this show was to bring awareness to mental illness and teen suicide, but people are speaking out about how the show has done the complete opposite. Dan Reidenberg, the executive director of Suicide Awareness Voice of Education, said ​ ​ he was contacted by Netflix and asked to review the show before it was released. Reidenberg said his first reply to them was to not air the show, but that was not an option. When I got the chance to speak to Reidenberg about why he advised Netflix not to release the show, he said, “I ​ am concerned with the revenge portrayal of suicide, the actual depiction of the suicide, the violence and brutality in the series, the lying, language, inappropriate behaviors, the memorialization, sensationalization and glamorizing of suicide.” Reidenberg also said that the show has raised consciousness on the topic of suicide, just not necessarily in the right way, possibly triggering “copycat” behavior and not giving any alternatives to suicide. He advises anyone that suffers from suicidal thoughts to not watch the show alone. Before ending her life, Hannah Baker sends out thirteen tapes, each addressed to thirteen different people. These tapes tell each of them how they contributed to her death, essentially placing the blame on them. After hearing their tape, each one of them has a different reaction. One turns to alcohol and drug abuse, some skip school, others get into physical altercations, etc. Some say Hannah’s reasoning for leaving these tapes was to make each person feel exactly how she did before she died, which is ultimately what happened. Though, someone who has felt the pain that comes with mental illness wouldn’t want to cause that harm to another person. Anonymous, 16, commented, “I’ve felt that way before, and I would never even think to put someone through the emotional pain that I went through. That would make me as bad as everyone else. Probably even worse, because I would know the harm I was causing them.” This makes Hannah’s suicide seem as if it’s revenge towards the people that hurt her. She sent these tapes out to make sure they knew that they were “the cause of her death”. Many viewers of the show have the same opinion as Dan Reidenberg- it romanticises suicide and mental illness. It does not show the deep emotional stress that mental illness has on a person’s body and mind. Thirteen Reasons makes suicide seem like not only an option, but ​ ​ the only option. It gives no alternatives until the last episode, where Hannah’s attempt to reach out to her guidance counselor fails. This sends a harmful message to people that may be thinking about reaching out for help, telling them that their attempts will not be successful and will not help. According to The Jason Foundation, suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10-24, including college-age youth. Four out of five youths that attempt suicide, or successfully commit suicide, have showed clear warning signs, yet most of us do not have the knowledge necessary to recognize these warning signs, so here are a few things to look out for: someone constantly talking down about themselves, excessive sadness or moodiness, constant sleeping, trouble eating and/or speaking about suicide. While these signs may not always mean that one is contemplating suicide, they are still signs of emotional distress, and it’s better to recognize it sooner rather than later. .
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