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13 Reasons Why and Youth Mental Illness – A Help or a Hindrance

In late March Netflix released its latest original series 13 Reasons Why. The 13 part show, based on Jay Asher’s novel of the same name, revolves around a teenage girl who commits suicide.

The series was greatly anticipated and when released, hit the internet by storm. In the young adult demographic it seems as if everyone either knows someone who has watched it or has watched it themselves.

The series follows the main character, Clay, as he listens to 13 tapes left by Hannah Baker who names 13 people as the reasons why she killed herself. Throughout these episodes, the characters and the audience are exposed to events that not only had an impact on Hannah’s character but are also likely to impact those watching.

While entirely fictional, the series deals with two counts of rape that are shown on screen and depicts the process of Hannah’s suicide – from when she picked up the razors at her parents store till when her parents find her body limp in a bath tub full of bloody water.

Many have praised the show for tackling the serious issues, depicting the high school experience in its true gritty and unpleasant form as well as creating a platform for discussion.

Others have found that the show has the potential to glorify mental illness and suicide, therefore potentially encouraging individuals who identify with Hannah to be reckless with their actions.

The show has created enough controversy that Headspace, Australia’s leading youth mental health organisation, released a statement to the media warning parents and young people about the content in the show.

In the press release, Kristen Douglas, the National Manager of Headspace School Support said the show exposes viewers to risky suicide content and may lead to a distressing reaction by the viewer particularly, if the audience is children and young people.

When speaking to the New York Times, Phyllis Alongi, the clinical director of The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in America, said that graphic details about suicide we know, historically, are not recommended. I understand what the producers are saying but it could really be unsafe and I think we need to be a little more responsible“.

In New Zealand, the national television classification body has created a new category to address the themes present within the show after complaints from mental health bodies. While this is a concern across many countries, New Zealand is likely to see negative impacts from the series’ first as they currently have the highest rate of teen suicide in the OECD.

With so many experts expressing concerns about the impact of the show, is it still an important tool in the discussion of mental illness in young adults?

University of Canberra Psychology Professor Peter Chamberlain says the target audience of the show is what is causing the controversy.

“The issue is that the subjects are young, the subjects are vulnerable, so for 13 Reasons Why the issue is that it is targeted at the very people who are particularly vulnerable. It was never intended to be a suicide prevention program but I think it runs the risk of undermining some of the things that the federal programs are trying to focus on.”

While Chamberlain does acknowledge that there are some positive parts to the series such as the depiction of the students and their struggles dealing with the death, the show from a psychologist’s perspective isn’t as beneficial as it appears, particularly in regards to suicide.

“For a series that glamorises a particular topic (suicide), and this show does that, it also minimises and even sterilises the subject so by making it a bit normal you lose sight of the tragedy.”

While the experts have condemned the show for its graphic and sensitive nature, the show has broken the taboo barrier of openly talking about mental health issues.

Whether this turns out for the better or worse, talking seems to be the first step.

13 Reasons Why can be found on Netflix and has been renewed for a second season in 2018.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with symptoms of mental illness please contact your local Headspace centre here or chat to them online, here. If you are over the age of 25 and suffering from symptoms of mental illness please contact your local GP for a Mental Health Assessment Plan or call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.

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