*Trigger Warning: mention of rape, suicide, sexual assault, depression
The new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why tells the story of a teenage girl named Hannah Baker, who ends up taking her own life, leaving behind only a shoebox full of cassette tapes, each of which are addressed to the different people and events that contributed to her decision to commit suicide. While many have voiced their concerned that the show might cause or even encourage kids to begin self-harming or even attempt to commit suicide themselves, I have to wholeheartedly disagree. This show does not glorify or glamorize suicide in the slightest. If anything, it is more of a cautionary tale that emphasizes that there are always consequences to our words and actions, that what we choose to say or not say, to do or not do, can impact others, regardless of intent. The show may be raw and graphic, but it does nothing to condone suicide. Its honesty allows for a better depiction of what struggling with mental illness, sexual assault, or rape, can be like and how it might effect someone. Bringing awareness to suicide and depression is not the same as condoning it. Mental health awareness provides recognition and validation to people suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder, etc. in order to normalize and encourage getting help. 13 Reasons Why is certainly not a perfect show, but it pretty clearly highlights the need for everyone to have a conversation about mental health, instead of ignoring it or sweeping it under the rug.
Talking about mental illness and sexual assault will only help validate the people suffering from it. Now, after having said all this, you can still choose not to watch the show, but I think the series, and the book it’s based on, does a decent job of showing why silence only contributes to the stigma that so often prevents people from speaking out, sharing their stories, and getting the help they need.