REVIEW: 13 Reasons Why
On March 31, 2017, Netflix shook the world when they released their new show 13 Reasons Why. If you haven't already heard, 13 Reasons Why is a drama filled series revolving around a high school girl, Hannah Baker, who killed herself, and leaves cassette tapes for people she blames for her suicide. The internet is blowing up with admiration for the show, but is it really something to admire? Here are 13 Reasons Why the show should NOT be praised.
The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention has very specific guidelines on how to safely broadcast suicide without causing more deaths, and the series blatantly ignores those guidelines by graphically showing Hannah slitting her wrists. This could potentially lead to more deaths by suicide, which is extremely dangerous and upsetting.
It glorifies suicide by making it seem like killing oneself and leaving tapes, or a note, is the only way to effectively send a message to the world, when in fact, the opposite is true. The most effective way to send a message is to survive, thrive, and tell one's story.
It simplifies suicide by making it seem like it is a direct result of bullying and sexual assault. In reality, the issue is far more complex including mental illness, which the show completely ignores as well.
It portrays other characters as unhelpful and unsupportive when Hannah tries to reach out, which could discourage viewers from seeking help themselves. This is already a major problem due to constant stereotyping.
It does not effectively address the subject of mental illness, which is a major component in the issue of suicide.
Hannah essentially blames others for her death, when in reality, suicide is a choice made by those who commit it. Yes, things such as bullying and sexual assault can be a main factor in suicidal ideation and mental illness, but the decision to commit suicide is in the hands of the individual.
One of the characters justifies self harm by saying: “it’s what you do instead of killing yourself,” which romanticizes self harm by making it seem like a good “compromise” instead of suicide. When, in fact, therapy and seeking help is the best solution.
The show provides no resources for those struggling with similar issues to Hannah, which, again, goes against the guidelines of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It’s not hard to do research and find these guidelines, so it’s clear that the creators of the show had no interest in taking advice from professionals, or considering the potential negative impact they could have.
The school counselor Hannah speaks to brushes off the clear signs of her being a suicide risk, which is against the law and not something any qualified professional would do. Once again, this can prevent viewers from seeking help themselves.
It’s highly offensive to many people struggling with mental illness and suicidal ideation because it never really dives into Hannah’s character, or portrays her as having a mental illness. Mental illnesses are major factors in most suicide cases, so it makes the show completely unrealistic. The show just makes Hannah seem dramatic and attention-seeking, which perpetuates stereotypes.
It does not offer a healthy solution, or way of coping with traumas such as bullying and assault. The only “solution” is suicide, which, as mentioned previously, the show glamorizes and simplifies.
Hannah makes other people, like Clay and Alex, feel irreparably guilty for her death, which is cruel and inconsiderate. The show treats suicide as the perfect revenge, when in reality suicide is a very personal decision.
As someone who has personally attempted suicide, and knows the stories of countless others who have, I don’t feel that the show accurately shows, or even addresses the main factors in suicide. To me and many others I have spoken to, it’s downright offensive, lacking in research, and overall poorly done.
If you are someone suffering from a mental illness I do not recommend watching this show. It is dangerous, and could cause more problems for you personally.
Please contact a loved one if you are feeling suicidal, and know that you are not alone. People are here for you, you don’t need to give up.