Local Schools React to Controversial Netflix Series ’13 Reasons Why'

The Netflix series 13 Reasons Why is causing some local schools to take action to protect students and inform parents.
 

A new Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, is based on Jay Asher’s 2007 novel of the same name. The series tells the story of teenager Hannah Baker’s suicide through recordings she has left for the 13 people she holds responsible for her death. The series is designed to be a cautionary tale and portrays vivid images of rape, physical violence, drug use, and a graphic depiction of Hannah Baker’s suicide. While it does address social issues that teens face today, many schools feel like the show is glamorizing suicide and making it seem like teens have no one to turn to when they face these dark thoughts. School officials have been quick to take action, sending letters to parents expressing concerns and offering resources. 

Local Schools Take Action

Albert Cousins, principal of North Shore High School in Glen Head on Long Island, sent an email to parents stating, “This program is being watched by many young people who attend our high school. We have heard much discussion about the series in our hallways and cafeteria in recent weeks.”

He continued, “We are sharing information so that you will be aware and able to have conversations with your children about how they are experiencing what they are seeing." And to "help provide resources for you to utilize when you sit down with your child to discuss depression, anxiety, suicide, and bullying.”

Schools in Westchester County have also taken notice. Christopher Manno, superintendent of Bedford Central School District, also wrote a letter to area parents stating his concerns. “It is important for you to be cognizant of its availability, allure, content, and popularity,” he said of 13 Reasons Why. “The series romanticizes suicide as a viable option, portrays school support staff as being non-responsive to students in need, and does not offer any appropriate responses or advice for students who may be in crisis."

Manno continued, “Caring for the well-being of young children and teens is most effective when schools and parents work together. Series such as this can be thought-provoking but, they can also do harm. It is highly recommended that if your child is interested in the program, you consider watching it with them in order to give the supporting guidance that suicide is never an answer, and the blame for suicide does NOT belong to others.”

Manno's letter also included resources, in which parents can find information on how to talk to their kids about these serious topics. These included as talking points on the show from JED Foundation and an article from GOOD on "Why Every Adult in America Should Watch the Hit Teen Drama 13 Reasons Why." 

Questioning the Series

A second Westchester school sent a letter to parents. Ann Edwards, principal of Rye Middle School, said, “Some viewers and mental health organizations are beginning to question the series and its appropriation for impressionable young viewers.”

Sister Joanne Forker, CSJ, Ed.D., principal of Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead on Long Island wrote this to parents, “Without evidence to the contrary, one of the main distortions leads the viewer to believe the main character has no one to turn to for help. We hope to assure you and your daughters that at Sacred Heart Academy we have compassionate and committed members of our faculty and staff who are trained to help the young women entrusted to our care.”

The Netflix series 13 Reasons Why has also gotten some major attention on the national level. Harold Koplewicz, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founder and president of the Child Mind Insitute, recently went on the Today Show to say that he felt 13 Reasons Why should be taken off the air immediately. He told Savannah Guthrie, “Teenage suicide is contagious. We know for over three decades that when kids watch television where they depict suicide, they’re more likely to attempt and they’re more likely to actually [commit] suicide," he said. “The problem with 13 Reasons is that it shows you that when you’re in trouble as a teenager that there is no help, you’re hopeless, and that suicide is glamorous and effective and that’s not the message we want them to have.” You can watch the Today Show video here.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit the National Institute of Mental Health's website or this section of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website for more resources.

RELATED:

Find Therapists and Counselors in Your Area

What Can Parents Do About Bullying?