Whether you're skeptical about watching the show or you've heard negative things about it, here's a few reasons you should give it a watch.

1. It brings awareness to the signs of suicide.

At the very least you should watch this show because it highlights the signs of suicide and what to look for. If you notice anyone showing the symptoms talked about on the show, get them help ASAP. They may not even know they need it, but you could truly be saving their life.

2. It illustrates the different forms of bullying.

Bullying isn’t just physical – it’s emotional and mental as well. Words hurt too, and you can torture someone with the things you say just as much as you can by beating them up.

3. It shows how the smallest things have the biggest impacts.

Things you wouldn’t even expect to affect someone really can because you never know what someone else is going through. We all need to be more mindful of all the things we do and say to one another.

4. It educates us about rape.

Sometimes we don’t realize how prevalent rape is in today’s society. This show is an eye-opener and illustrates what rape looks like and how it affects the victim. It also demonstrates how we can help the victims and prevent it from happening in the first place.

5. It illustrates why rumors and gossiping are wrong.

It shows that making things up about someone can really hurt them and make them the subject of a lot of gossip and bullying. When you participate in the gossip or rumors, you too become the bully.

6. It reminds us why it is important to stand up for others.

Whether it be not participating in gossip or straight up stepping in when someone is being bullied, you can make a change. You would want someone to step in if you were being bullied so why not do the same for others.

7. It highlights the importance of a friend.

You just need one person to be there and show that they care to change your outlook on life. Being lonely is an awful feeling. Always be a friend to those in need.

8. It demonstrates how important random acts of kindness are.

Just one compliment, one friend, or one hug can help turn someone’s whole life around. Remember to always be kind because you never know how much of an impact you will have.

9. It’s relatable for everyone.

Everyone has experienced pain and this show has a lot of it. We can all take something away from watching this show. No matter your age, you have most definitely experienced one of the situations depicted.

10. It reminds adults that it’s difficult to be young.

Young people go through a lot during high school and college. This show reminds parents to be there for their kids and be more understanding of the things they go through.

11. It depicts the severity of drug use.

Alcohol is a drug too and we frequently forget that. The show illustrates what devastating things can happen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It teaches us to be more careful while drinking and what can happen if you aren’t careful.

12. It shows how social media influences us.

We don’t monitor what we say on social media quite enough. This show shows that cyberbullying is real and we need to be more mindful of what we post, share, and text to one another.

13. It teaches us how to treat each other better.

Although the show depicts the awful things that happened and the awful way people treated her, it provides the perfect example of how we should NOT treat others. We need to be kinder to each other and learn to love one another despite our differences.

Overall, the show put suicide into perspective for me. It showed me all the things listed above, but mostly how we need to be more sensitive about the subject. While it is a controversial show, I believe the overarching message speaks volumes about today’s society and how we treat others. We need to learn how to treat one another first and foremost. Then we must learn to love and be there for one another. You never know how your actions will affect others.

P.S. If you don’t want to watch the show or didn’t particularly enjoy it, please read the book!

“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything.” –Jay Asher