AE13ReasonsWhy417/400
Cailee Olitt
13 Reasons Why is a popular TV series that first became available through Netflix on March 31, 2017. The show follows high school student Clay Jensen as he listens to tape recordings left behind by his friend Hannah Baker, who had killed herself two weeks beforehand. Each of Baker’s 13 tapes highlights how a specific person influenced her decision to commit suicide. The series discusses and shows several sensitive topics including rape and suicide, among others. 13 Reasons Why season two was just added to Netflix on May 18, 2018, and has resulted in nationwide discussion over whether or not the show should be removed from the streaming service due to its sensitive content.
According to CNN, many people “object to the series’ depiction of suicide because it lacks understanding about how to show it on screen safely.” Many viewers who are struggling with depression, or are suicidal, have spoken out about how, to them, 13 Reasons Why glorifies suicide and can be triggering. On the other hand, Nic Sheff, one of the show’s writers, explained that not only was he suicidal in the past, but he also argued in favor of depicting Baker’s suicide on-screen. “In AA, they call it playing the tape: encouraging alcoholics to really think through in detail the exact sequence of events that will occur after relapse. It's the same thing with suicide,” Sheff stated. Though this may seem logical, it has actually been proven that “risk of additional suicides increases when a story explicitly describes the suicide method,” according to CNN.
Columbia High School (CHS) student Antonio Green, ‘19, agrees that this series, “might disturb some suicidal viewers.” However, he also feels that “it can show that there are people that love and care for them. This show lets them know that they are not alone.” Rebecca Brown, ‘19, shares the idea that 13 Reasons Why could have negative effects on suicidal or depressed viewers, but she feels that it “could also be thought provoking,” for others. Both of these students, who are currently watching the second season of the show, feel that 13 Reasons Why should not be removed from Netflix. “I don’t think that it should be pulled because some people enjoy it, and find the show to be realistic and something they can sympathize with,” explained Brown. Regardless of their mental state, it is recommended that viewers take caution when watching 13 Reasons Why, and that they are aware of their triggers and know how to find help.
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