Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year or so you must know about 13 Reasons Why. It’s an immensely popular Netflix show which has gained a lot of traction and has a huge teen demographic. It is an American high school teen drama which is undoubtedly dark and problematic. With the launch of its second season last month, I have noticed a lot of my school mates talking about how hooked they are onto this series. I’m not a concerned parent or a mental health professional discouraging you from watching this show; I’m just a teenager who is worried about how this show might be shaping the opinions of young people about mental health issues.
Since this series is clearly inappropriate for someone my age, I decided to be lawful and not waste 26 hours of my time to analyse it. Instead I’m relying completely on Wikipedia summaries and articles from survivors of suicide, parents, psychologists/psychiatrists about the show to put forward why you shouldn’t watch it (if you haven’t already).
1. The title itself is pretty controversial
The title ‘13 Reasons Why’ implies that suicide is justified and simplified by giving a little more than a dozen reasons. Suicide isn’t something that is justifiable, it is preventable.
2. The show is too graphic
With its extremely disturbing and detailed portrayal of rape and suicide, this series isn’t using its visuals responsibly to present the horrors of mental illness.
3. It demonises the victim
The tapes left behind by Hannah, the lead of the show, create a sense that she is seeking a revenge of some sort.
4. It glamorizes suicide
The way the characters treat Hannah before and after her suicide takes a leap from a negative to a positive one. The message of 'you will only be cherished after you die' is a very messed up one to deliver.
5. The 'love can cure anything' concept
The series shows that only if Clay (one of Hannah's romantic interests) would have been there for her, her suicide could have been prevented. Romantic attraction may not prevent suicide but therapy and medication can.
6. Suicide is the only option left
There are alternatives to suicide, there is hope and there are ways of getting help but there seems to be no sign of it in the show.
7. It makes the viewers look forward to the suicide
The whole crescendo of the first season builds up to Hannah’s suicide, like it is supposed to be exhilarating. Suicide is not exciting, it is tragic.
Statistics show that 1 out of 5 Indians is suffering from a mental disorder, our country spends only 0.06% of its health budget on mental healthcare, and on an average 300 people in India commit suicide everyday. A WHO report suggests that India is the most depressed country in the world and we need the awareness but this show is far from creating any positive impact as it only reaffirms negative stereotypes. There is a huge stigma around mental health issues in our country which an AIB video captures perfectly. Reach out to people going through a tough time and encourage them to visit a therapist, educate yourself about mental health issues, initiate conversations about them, report bullying or harassment of any kind around you, volunteer at NGOs championing the cause of mental health awareness, and maybe not watch season 3 of 13 Reasons Why. One life lost is too many.
Suicide Prevention Hotline (AASRA) - 022 2754 6669
Find out more about mental health issues on thelivelaghlovefoundation.org