Why is Netflix Showing Suicide Mini-Series?

LIKE US ON FACEBOOKBy: Frankie P

The Netflix original series "13 Reasons Why" has me asking WHY?  Why would a global media giant such as Netflix be so negligent... I understand that suicide is a reality and my heart goes out to anybody that had to deal with this on a more personal level, it's a horrible thing.  Not only leaving unanswered questions, it leaves survivors asking why they didn't see the clues.  In most cases, there are no "clues" there is nothing that could have been done differently to deter such an act.

However we do have a choice, we can broadcast powerful messages that offer help and guidance to individuals who have suicidal thoughts.  In the Netflix mini-series, they offer no resources, they don't tell you how many lives are affected and changed forever, not to mention the number of impressionable young viewers that may be influenced and attempt suicide themselves or much worse succeed.

In my opinion, this is pure negligence on the part of Netflix!

In the mini-series, which is based on a young adult novel released a decade ago, high school student Hannah Baker leaves behind 13 tape recordings detailing why she took her own life. Her former classmates are left to piece together Hannah’s final weeks in a made-for-television mystery.

In watching the series, young people and teens could interpret the message that suicide is a viable and/or romanticized option. The show’s content is extremely graphic, with disturbing scenes in each episode, which may be difficult for impressionable minds to watch and process in a healthy way.
The series includes the following shortcomings:

• There is no mention of behavioral health and treatment options
• The notion of suicide is glamorized
• There are no examples of help-seeking by the teens portrayed in the program
• There are several scenes depicting serious trauma, in which the teens do not seek help or resources, including rape, bullying, alcoholism and suicide
• The graphic portrayal of Hannah’s actual suicide was unnecessary and potentially harmful to young people facing challenges

If your child is in crisis and needs immediate help, please call 911 or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-784-2433.