13 Reasons Why has been a blinding success, and it has opened up a much needed conversation about teenage mental illness and sexual assault.
But being the confronting and controversial show that it is has its downfalls as well.
For some, the show is entertaining and tells a good story. For others it can be very triggering, and even misleading.
Critics and experts, like Headspace, are concerned with how the show has romanticized something as devastating as suicide, and they have issued a warning to the public about it.
Headspace School Support program and eHeadspace had received increasing numbers of calls and emails that were directly related to the show, so they felt the need to step in…
“National and international research clearly indicated the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure leading to increased risk and possible suicide contagion,” National manager of Headspace School Support, Kristen Douglas said.
Dr Steven Leicester, head of eHeadspace said that they have been dealing with a lot of concerned parents since the show made its debut.
“There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and on a young audience in particular.”
It is true that the media and broadcasters have guidelines they have to adhere to when they touch on topics like suicide.
Hopefully, the show can create a platform to help with these issues, and not encourage any copy-cat behaviour. Because as beautiful and honoured Hannah Baker is on the show, suicide is more serious than that.
If you, or anyone you know are suffering from mental illness, contact Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636, or visit their site here.
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