RAISING
AWARENESS
MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS URGE CAUTION
FOR TEENS WATCHING 13 REASONS WHY
WRITTEN BY HANNAN ADELY
T
his spring,
teenagers were
binge-watching,
talking and
tweeting about
the Netflix series
13 Reasons Why, which
revolves around a student
who kills herself and leaves
behind audio recordings for
people she believes are to
blame in some way.
With the show on teens’
minds, mental health profes-
sionals are urging parents
and educators to take the
opportunity to talk to young
people about suicide pre-
vention and how to get
help if they or a friend are
struggling. Mental health
experts fear the show could
glorify teen suicide for vul-
nerable youth, especially
for those watching without
guidance from adults.
Suicide is the second
leading cause of death
for people aged 10 to 24,
according to the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention.
13 Reasons Why, based
on a novel of the same name,
tells the story of Hannah
Baker’s suicide through
the audio tapes she leaves
behind and deals with issues
of bullying, drug use, sexual
assault and rape.
The National Association
of School Psychologists,
in guidance it released to
educators and families in
how to talk about the topic,
recommends that young
people with suicidal thoughts
shouldn’t watch it, while
other teens who do shouldn’t
watch it in a vacuum.
“While many youth are
resilient and capable of dif-
ferentiating between a TV
drama and real life, engaging
in thoughtful conversations
with them about the show
is vital,” writes the National
Association of School
P sychologists.
“Doing so presents an
opportunity to help them
process the issues addressed,
consider the consequences of
certain choices, and reinforce
the message that suicide is
not a solution to problems
and that help is available.”
The show, released in full
on March 31, is already the
most tweeted-about show in
2017, according to Variety.
Paramus Superintendent
of Schools Michele Robinson
says the Netflix series is on
her radar and she plans to
address the issue with other
colleagues and professionals
in the district.
“The best thing you
can do is to have an open
dialogue with the young
people who are watching
this, and especially include
the parents,” says Robinson,
calling the conversation a
partnership with students,
faculty and parents. “It’s a
conversation we are going to
have.”
GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES
• Ask your child if they have
heard or seen the series 13
Reasons Why. While we
don’t recommend that they
be encouraged to view the
series, do tell them that if they
watch it, you want to watch
it with them. Discuss their
thoughts.
• If they exhibit any of the
warning signs, don’t be afraid
to ask if they have thought
about suicide or if someone
is hurting them. Raising the
issue of suicide does not
increase the risk or plant
the idea. On the contrary, it
creates the opportunity to
offer help.
• Ask your child if they
think any of their friends or
classmates exhibit warning
signs. Talk with them about
how to seek help for their
friend or classmate. Guide
them on how to respond
when they see or hear any of
the warning signs.
• Listen to your children’s
comments without judgment.
Doing so requires that you
fully concentrate, understand,
respond, and then remember
what is being said. Put your
own agenda aside.
• Get help from a school or
community-based mental
health professional if you are
concerned for your child’s
safety or the safety of one of
their peers.
• Suicide is never a solution.
It is an irreversible choice
regarding a temporary
problem. There is help. If you
are struggling with thoughts
of suicide or know someone
who is, talk to a trusted adult,
call 1-800-273-TALK (8255),
(201) FAMILY | AUGUST 2017
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