I am not here to be a critic for this show. In my honest opinion, I loved it so so much. But, as I scroll through so many positive memes, posts, and videos about the show. I see an opposing argument that Hannah Baker, the show’s main character, did not portray depression. Or, she did not portray our society’s version on what depression should look like.

DEPRESSION IS NOT JUST ONE FORM OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, I want to say that this article is in no way trying to diminish those who felt that Hannah Baker’s depression and/or suicide did not accurately represent what it is to them. Your mental illness deserves to be highlighted and talked about, and I am sorry that this show did not give that to you.

However, I am sick and tired of people bashing other mental illnesses or different versions of the same mental illness!!!

For Hannah Baker of 13 Reasons Why, her depression and suicide were unique to her. Although she did not show a “dramatic change in her appearance,” she showed many signs of a changed in her personality.

For one, Hannah did change her appearance. Cutting her hair is a sign of depression. For some, cutting and/or dyeing hair would ideally change their internal state. Whether or not this works varies from person to person.

Also, Hannah showed a change in friends. Although Clay, or Helmet, stayed around for the majority of Hannah’s screen time, she began to seek different routes of relationships. Toward the middle of the tapes, Hannah joined a poetry group. Now, this was Hannah trying to find herself. Before, she tried, and failed, at fitting in with the popular kids (like that asshole Justin).

Later, viewers listened to Hannah’s testimony through her poetry and writings in communications class. Hannah constantly voiced her feelings of emptiness and ending her life, but no one cared to take it seriously until she committed suicide.

And, later in the series, the viewers saw a change in behavior toward the people Hannah loved most. She had become very moody and blamed anything and everything on herself. For example, when Hannah lost her parents’ deposit, she completely lost it. Although it was her fault, her parents seemed to have forgiven her by the end of the day even if Hannah couldn’t.

Also, if anyone has struggled with depression, they can see how Hannah’s expressions changed throughout the season. For me, this was the most gruesome telling of Hannah’s depression, perhaps just as much as her actual suicide. In the beginning of the series, Hannah shined. She constantly laughed, smiled, and talked. But, by the end of the season, the light in Hannah’s eyes diminished. She looked dead. This is incredibly hard to show as an actor, and Katherine Langford did a phenomenal job.

The fact of the matter is that Hannah Baker did not represent every single form of depression, but she represented one—her own. Although I can agree that her suicide was a bit romanticized, her journey to ending her life was authentically accurate. In 13 episodes, Hannah Baker rose and fell at the hands of the invisible illness of depression and the very real faces of bullying.

All I hope is that this show can be a wakeup call for people of all ages to start to think about how their words and actions can affect the people around them. You never know what someone else is going through.

And, if you or someone you know are struggling with depression, please contact this website.

You are loved.