As a parent, it's important to stay up-to-date on the shows your kids are watching, especially if the themes are dark and serious. "13 Reasons Why," a controversial show about suicide based on a young adult book, may spark some difficult conversations in your household.

If you're not familiar with the show, "13 Reasons Why" is a popular Netflix series that explores the devastating aftermath of a teen's suicide. Today, teens face an enormous number of societal dangers, such as hazing, peer pressure, and bullying, leading some to take their own lives.

Obviously, it's important to be open and honest with your kids. You can't shelter them from everything bad in the world. However, some experts say that the show doesn't just raise awareness for teen suicide—it might also have pushed some young people to contemplate or attempt to take their own lives.

So how can you talk to your kids about "13 Reasons Why" in a safe and productive way? Here are some tips.

Talking to Your Teen About Suicide

Teen suicide is a difficult topic to discuss. Many adolescents struggle with depression, overwhelm, stress, and social difficulties that can eventually lead to suicidal thoughts. For teens who have experienced trauma, the potential for suicide may be even higher.

In many instances, a potentially suicidal teen may hide their pain. For instance, researchers estimate that 90% of sexual assault victims on college campuses choose not to report the incident. For this reason, it's not always easy to tell if your child is unhappy or having suicidal thoughts. Your parent's intuition, however, might tell you that something is wrong, even if you're not sure what it is.

If your child is watching "13 Reasons Why," it's important to talk directly and openly about suicide. Encourage them to be open with you if they're ever struggling and let them know that suicide is never the answer to their problems. It's also a good idea to discuss reality vs. fiction and remind them that the show does not depict real teens.

Why It's Important to Talk About Suicide

Even if you don't see your kids watching the show, don't assume they haven't seen it. It's important to have regular discussions about emotions, mental health, and problems your child may be facing. Keep a close eye on their behavior and watch for any telltale signs of depression, anxiety, and other signs of withdrawal.

Many parents are worried that talking about suicide will "inspire" their kids. While this seems like a reasonable fear, the truth is that talking about suicide usually has the opposite effect. Kids and teens often feel relieved when the topic comes up because it validates any pain they may be feeling and opens up the lines of communication for dealing with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.

Adolescents need to know that they're not alone. Talking about suicide in a non-judgmental way is key for preventing unnecessary youth deaths. By bringing up suicide instead of waiting for them to come to you and hoping that they'll never be in enough pain to contemplate such a drastic measure, you'll not only show that you care, but you'll be inviting them to come to you if they ever feel like what they're feeling is too much to cope with.

Helping Teens Cope With Peers' Suicide

"13 Reasons Why" is all about what happens after a teen's suicide—how it affects her friends, peers, teachers, and parents. Unfortunately, some teens do take their own lives in the real world and it's important to provide support for their friends and peers in the aftermath.

Being available to your teen after a classmate or friend commits suicide is absolutely crucial. They may be having trouble processing the event and their own emotions, and the event could even make them think about harming themselves. Asking the right questions gently can help teens explore their feelings and ensure that they're not feeling like following the same path.

Seek Out Professional Help for Teens in Crisis

Professional intervention may be necessary if a teen is grieving or otherwise having difficulty with trauma from a peer's suicide. In these cases, counseling with a therapist may be able to help with unresolved emotions and pain from the event.

If your child is having suicidal thoughts themselves, it's important to seek out help. Even parents, with all their love and concern, can't always reach a teen in crisis. Sometimes, the best way to protect your child is to turn to someone with advanced experience and knowledge to help them through a difficult time in their lives.