Netflix's "13 Reasons Why": An Irresponsible Disappointment
Trigger Warning
Spoiler Warning
If you’ve been on the internet at all the last few months, you’ve probably heard of the new Netflix show, Thirteen Reasons Why. And if you’ve heard about the show, you’ve probably heard the controversy. There are lots of opinions about the show and how it portrays very intense topics. This show is made for teens and it contains topics that are very real for some teens. Bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence, and suicide are all things that can be a very real part of a high schooler's life. Some people agree with and support the way these topics are shown on screen. I, like many others, do not.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has recommendations for how to report suicide in the media. They have these recommendations because it has been proven that certain ways of describing suicide can lead to “suicide contagion” or copycat suicides. Their recommendations are as follows:
Research suggests that inadvertently romanticizing suicide or idealizing those who take their own lives by portraying suicide as a heroic or romantic act may encourage others to identify with the victim.
Exposure to suicide method through media reports can encourage vulnerable individuals to imitate it. Clinicians believe the danger is even greater if there is a detailed description of the method. Research indicates that detailed descriptions or pictures of the location or site of a suicide encourage imitation.
Presenting suicide as the inexplicable act of an otherwise healthy or high-achieving person may encourage identification with the victim.
The creators of Thirteen Reasons Why went against each of these recommendations. In the last episode, the main character is shown sitting in a bathtub slicing her arms open vertically and bleeding out. They show this in graphic detail. There is a small warning at the beginning of the episode saying that there is graphic content that may not be appropriate for everyone, but this show is marketed toward middle school and high school aged kids. In my opinion, there is no reason that a suicide should be shown in such graphic detail, especially to children. Suicide should not ever be considered entertainment.
Another issue is that the show never discusses mental health or mental illness. According to IASP, over 90% of suicide victims struggle with mental illness. By the time she gets close to suicide, the main character is very obviously depressed, but that fact is never mentioned. Other supporting characters are also shown struggling with different mental illnesses but that very big issue is never addressed. This adds to the glorification of the suicide. A girl presented as healthy decides to commit suicide as revenge to get back at the people who bullied, harassed, and assaulted her. The IASP directly says “Social conditions alone do not explain a suicide.”
Another issue I have with this show is the blame it assigns to the people around a suicide victim. The idea that a suicide is the fault of the people around a victim can be very triggering and also very much untrue. The show is a very elaborate guilt trip for anyone who has had someone close to them commit suicide.
There is also an element of the show that seems to shame the main character, and in turn, everyone else who has committed or attempted suicide. This can be a trigger to anyone who struggles with suicidal ideation.
Possibly the most dangerous part of the show is the lack of support shown. The thirteenth tape is about a school counselor that the main character goes to see right before she goes home and commits suicide. The episode before is about the sexual assault the main character endures. The counselor tells the main character that if she’s not willing to press charges, the only thing she can do is move on from it. First of all, this dismisses the validity of sexual assault and excuses a rapist. I could talk about how this perpetuates rape culture but that’s not what this essay is about. Second, this gives off the idea that sexual assault victims are obligated to forgive their attackers and they have to move on to live a successful life. The counselor is not at all supportive even though the main character is obviously struggling. A real professional would see the warning signs and would not react in the way the counselor did, but a kid or teenager watching the show might not know that and might be discouraged from seeking help based on seeing this interaction.
Overall, I was very disappointed and to be honest, scared, about how this show was produced. I understand the point the creators were trying to make, but the execution was so poorly done, I can’t help but feel upset and misunderstood. I’m very angry that despite the controversy, this show has been renewed for a second season, and I know I’m not the only one.