There has been lots of debate about "13 Reasons Why", a show based on the novel by Jay Asher. The story follows high schooler Hannah Baker through the cassette tapes she left behind when she committed suicide, each of which are designated to a specific person and explains the reason why they drove her to take her own life.
While people who have never experienced depression or had suicidal thoughts may not see any problems with it, those who have suffered and do continue to have issues with depression and thoughts of suicide are likely to have issues with the show. The suicide scene has sparked lots of debate, and many people are overlooking the fact that producers were told by many psychologists and suicide specialists not to include the scene. Though there are trigger warnings before the episodes that are seen to have any potential triggers, showing a suicide and how it was done shouldn't be broadcasted, especially on a show that targets younger audiences. While this could be compared to any other gory scene on television, suicide is brought on by a very complex thought process, and showing a girl slitting her wrists in a bathtub can not only give teenagers ideas on how to commit suicide, but possibly make them think about doing it. Ending the first season with this scene also made it appear as if the only solution to Hannah's problems was to end her own life.
More than the suicide scene, though, the entire show is based off of the concept of revenge suicide. There is no doubt that lots of suicides are caused by teen bullying. The fact that Hannah Baker killed herself because her classmates bullied her is obviously tragic. Everyone starts to feel bad for her after she dies, saying things about how she "didn't deserve this" or that they regret bullying her or not doing anything to stop the bullying. The problem I have with the show lies in how after Hannah Baker commits suicide, everyone starts to praise her and seemingly feel bad for her in a way that could make someone who wants attention and pity to get the attention she got, even if they have to die to do it. Making a show completely about a girl committing suicide and making the lives of those who drove her to do so hell on earth makes suicide seem like an act of revenge when it most cases, it isn't. Having a show like this may be okay in the future when people understand suicide better, but right now, many of the people in our society have very little understanding of why people commit suicide, so having a show plastered everywhere that glories killing yourself as an act of revenge isn't a good way to bring the topic to light.
Regardless of your knowledge on suicide and depression, 13 Reasons Why romanticizes the idea of suicide and overall is not a good show to help people further understand depression or why people commit suicide.
