Occasionally, something in the media raises concerns about teen safety but at the same time brings up important issues that can serve as conversation starters within families or even in high school classrooms. Netflix is currently streaming something that might serve that purpose.
The series 13 Reasons Why is an adaptation of a young-adult novel by that name, and it brings many teen issues into sharp focus, ending in the graphically portrayed suicide of a young woman.
There have been rumors of increased instances of suicidal thoughts, attempts and even suicides on campuses that have been tied to this series. As a mental health professional who spent much of his professional career working with people with suicidal thoughts, those who have made suicide attempts, and with the families of those who have taken their own lives, there are reasons I can recommend that families see and discuss this show, and some reasons I suggest that they proceed with caution.
The premise of the show is that a 17-year-old high school student has taken her own life, but prior to doing so, has made 13 cassette tapes, each one aimed at the actions of an individual who played a role in leading her to suicide. In many ways, this fits with our knowledge of youth suicide, in that in most cases there is not just one cause, there are multiple contributing factors. As the show plays out, the experiences she has had with her peers have clearly caused her pain for which she sees no good solution.
We, the viewers, see the impacts of bullying, substance abuse, sexual assault and the negative uses of social media on a person who is hurting inside. All of this can provide important discussion points for anyone who parents or works with adolescents and young adults.
Unfortunately, parents and school personnel are portrayed as clueless and more likely to make matters worse than better. This is not likely to encourage young people to seek the assistance of those who could potentially help them. If viewing this show with young people, this perception needs to be clearly addressed. If the young people you are close to feel that there are no empathic and problem-solving adults in their lives, an important part of the safety net is missing.
Likewise, though there is at least one potential peer who might have helped the character in the story, he cannot rise to the occasion for a variety of reasons. In real life, the helpfulness of caring peers can sometimes be more useful than the initial attempts that adults might make.
The other, final negative about the show, from a prevention perspective, is the graphic depiction of the young women taking her own life. News media have long been cautioned about publishing detailed descriptions of suicides so as not to serve as how-to guides, and the same standard should sometimes be applied to the entertainment media.
As this is being written, it is likely that some young people you know are watching this show. If so, it may be time to open up a discussion.
(Mark Ciocca lives in Penacook.)