New Concerns Continue to Crop Up Around ’13 Reasons Why’
13 Reasons Why depicts serious issues regarding mental health, sexual assault, and suicide. Since the series premiered on Netflix, viewers, parents, and even mental health organizations have expressed concern regarding its content, and how the show is being perceived and handled.
Now, Headspace, an Australian mental health organization, has issued a warning about the show's "dangerous content." The organization has been inundated with calls and e-mails regarding 13 Reasons Why.
"National and international research clearly indicates the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure leading to increased risk and possible suicide contagion," said Kristen Douglas, national manager of Headspace school support, when speaking with The Huffington Post Australia.
Australian guidelines for media reporting on suicide are very strict and discourage depiction or detail of specific methods.
"[I]rresponsible reporting of suicide can lead to further death," Douglas said. "We need to talk more about youth suicide, but there's a way of doing that and a way we can raise those concerns and have a range of awareness."
She added, "[W]e need to steer clear of really dangerous things like method, or oversimplifying it to one thing like bullying."
Headspace has resources for parents, teens, and anyone who wants more information about topics related to suicide at headspace.org.au.
The toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the line through TTY at 1-800-799-4889.
Orange You Glad About Selena Gomez's '13 Reasons Why' Premiere Dress?
Selena Gomez's Best Live Vocals