One of my students from the Creative Arts Academy, Abigail E. Riebel, wrote this guest post today on 13 Reasons Why. Whether I agree with all of her points is irrelevent: what’s far more interesting is that a highschooler wrote such a reflective piece about such an influential show. That’s what this site’s all about. — LtmS

Also: if you need the suicide prevention hotline, call: 1-800-273-8255

Featured Download: To read about how mythology saved me from suicide, click here.

The show “Thirteen Reasons Why” has fans waiting anxiously for the next scene, the next episode, and even the next seasons to be released, but why? This show about a teenage girl, Hannah Baker, who commits suicide then leaves behind thirteen tapes to thirteen different people to explain why she killed herself, has fans sitting impatiently on the edge of their seats. I’ve wondered numerous times, why do people enjoy watching this, and would they, if they knew how detrimental it really is? Would they watch “Thirteen Reasons Why” if there were thirteen well educated reasons not to? Here are thirteen reasons not to watch “Thirteen Reasons Why.”

We love our kids.We want to watch them grow up, watch them graduate, watch them fall in love and get married,  to watch them raise their own children, and be successful. We chose life for our children and we consider that life precious. This series teaches our children that their life can be ended whenever they think that they won’t make it through their struggles.

Our kids are being influenced to make life ending decisions that are graphically acted out by the people in this show. We want what’s best for our kids. That is not the end, especially not the suicidal end, to their lives. In times of tragedy our nation pulls together. We sing “Proud to be an American” and play it on the radio to symbolize our unity. We hold memorial services for those who have tragically lost their lives. The recent shooting in Las Vegas brought our nation together to mourn for the people who were killed. In 2001, when terrorists attacked theTwin Towers, our nation stood in unity to honor those who died. When a tragedy strikes, our nation comes together as one to show the love that we have for our people. I am proud to be an American, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, where most of us care for and love the people of our country.This show teaches that only the people one knows are the people who care about him or her. The history of our nation in it’s times of tragedy is our proof that nothing could be more wrong.

Citing an article published in the Washington Post, “900,000 to 1.5 million more searches about suicide, for example, ‘how to commit suicide, ‘commit suicide,’  and ‘how to kill yourself,’were all significantly higher nineteen days after the release of “ThirteenReasons Why.”San Diego State University Public Health Professor John Ayers says, “Past studies have validated that Internet searches mirror real world suicide rates, so suicide rates have likely gone up because of this show.” In March 2017, online suicide queries increased by 19%. Executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, Dan Reidenberg, says:

“There is a great concern that I have… that young people will over identify withHannah in this series and we will actually see more suicides as a result of this series…. The way things are portrayed in the media does have an effect on the way suicides can happen. This is particularly true for young people that are vulnerable and at risk of suicide. When they are exposed to images that are really graphic, really sensational, and there is nothing balancing out for them… that they can get help and that treatment works and recovery is possible… we see them thematically replaying what they’ve seen.”

Citing Molly Kate Cline in Teen Vogue, Cline explains that there are several things missing from the show “Thirteen Reasons Why.” Cline says:

“Being a suicide prevention advocate, I believe in the importance of diagnosing, treating, and supporting mental illness, as well as getting help for it. That’s why when I watched “Thirteen Reasons Why” I immediately saw some red flags. One of those flags was that talking to your parents and getting help when you need wasn’t successfully portrayed in this series.”

Producer Selena Gomez talks about the importance of reaching out for help before it’s too late.In this series Hannah is seen covering up her feelings and avoiding addressing issues she is experiencing with anyone. Cline also says, “However my problem is  that the audience is shown what not to do without examples of what they should do. ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ is increasing the stigma around mental illness by not directly addressing it and dancing around it.” 

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable think about such things.” I know this is a Bible passage and not every one believes that theBible is true, but it is hard to deny the truth in these words. We don’t want to think of bad things. We go out of our way to soften the blow, to make sure that we don’t have to think of things that are displeasing to us. We have such a deep desire to know what is true. We search for truth constantly and will settle for nothing less. We strive to be admired by the people around us and do all we can to be thought of as honorable, noble, and lovely. No one wants to relive their tragedies over and over again. No one wants to be connected to the bad surrounding them. No part of series is good. In fact it’s the exact opposite. This series encourages and instigates depression through it’s lies about life.

This show encourages voyeurism– 1: The practice of obtaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual objects or acts, especially secretively 2: the satisfaction of watching another’s destruction. It is inhumane to think that any show that our children watch and have access to encourages these acts! Anyone known to be experiencing these feelings should be regarded by most every one with revulsion. They should be reported to the authorities and considered a danger to society. This is not a show we want our kids to have access to. We don’t want our children being encouraged to participate in voyeuristic habits. We don’t want our children to become rapists, murderers, or serial killers. This series inspires them to do so.

 Hope. What is hope? The dictionary definition of “hope” is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that the events will turn out for the best. Why do we hope? We hope because, life without hope is pointless. All people who commit suicide do so because they feel hopeless. I believe there are two definitions for hope. One is the dictionary definition.The other is the christian definition. Jesus, the christian definition for hope, has lived a sinless life, died, conquered death, forgiven sin, rose from the dead, and redeems all those who accept His gift of grace. Not everyone believes this, but no matter how we define our hope, this show undermines it all. 

This series teaches kids that one shouldn’t consult their parents about their struggles and instead should avoid addressing issues that they have altogether. In this series the characters refuse to discuss their problems with their parents, counselors, or friends. Kids in this series are shown being bullied, raped, and using illegal drugs without seeking help from qualified adults. This series is constantly showing the audience that one shouldn’t seek help from parents or qualified adults about the problems or feelings that one might be experiencing.Many follow the terrible example being set by this show and don’t reach out for help.  By teaching that one shouldn’t have close discussions with one’s parents, this show causes division between people. It also cuts young adults off from the guidance they need in their adolescent years. We see impulsive teens do awful things all the time because they lack the relationship with the adults around them to tell them how they truly feel.This series causes division among people, specifically parents and children, building the stigma around addressing issues that one is experiencing.

The reason children need the guidance of their parents and mature adults is because a child’s brain is not fully developed. An article on Raising Children. Net website explains, “A child’s brain is not fully developed until age twenty-five. The part of the brain that is still developing from age 13 to age 24 is the prefrontal cortex; because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teens rely on the amygdala, the part of the brain that reacts to things based one motions, impulses, aggression, and instinct.” Articles published on NationalPublic Radio and several other sites say the same. Adults have fully developed prefrontal cortex and brain. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that inhibits impulses and emotions that a person has. Therefore adults are able to guide teens away from harmful impulses while a teen’s brain is still developing. The psychological effect that “Thirteen Reasons Why” has on an undeveloped brain is quite stunning. This series causes several emotions because of its graphic, thematic elements which cause teens to rely even more on their amygdala. The result of this is they overreact and listen to their overwhelming impulses and do things that a fully formed adult brain would be able to overrule.

In this show Hannah (and several other characters) are struggling with depression and the stress of degrading social interaction. Hannah commits suicide and leaves behind thirteen tapes to thirteen different people to explain the reasons why she killed herself. The producers of this show claim it brings to light the realities of teen suicide and depression. Instead, this show distorts the realities of suicide as an act of revenge. Often the first reaction of those who are depressed is to lash out angrily, without explanation or just cause, trying to either pull themselves out of their depression or, to make others understand how they feel. Hannah does this, except Hannah’s reaction is blown out of proportion. Hannah’s suicide is glorified as an act of revenge, she leave stapes behind to blame others for her death. What this series doesn’t explain is that Hannah’s death didn’t hurt the people she hates or wants revenge upon. Her decision didn’t solve her problems either but instead, hurt her and the people she loved. This series distorts the realities of suicide as an act of revenge.

In this series Hannah is depicted as having no other relief from her depression; suicide becomes her only choice. Suicide was not Hannah’s only choice. She could have told any qualified adult about the thoughts she was having. Our government pays specifically trained people to handle situations like depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in our schools and places where adolescents have the ability to tell them and receive help. Parents are there so teens can talk to them and get advice about how to deal with stressful situations, social interactions, and even problems they might be experiencing in their own homes. There are hundreds of trained professionals near our teens who can and will help them when they struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts. Yet, in this show we watch as Hannah disregards all of these solutions and kills herself. We also see Hannah’s friends suffering from depression because of her decision to commit suicide. This show perpetuates the lie that suicide is the ultimate discharge depression. Suicide is not a discharge of depression; it’s an instigator of it.

Featured Download: To read about how mythology saved me from suicide, click here.

One of the first things often said after someone has committed suicide is, “It’s such a tragedy.” The family and friends of the person who died are thrown into the deepest, darkest pit possible. Everyone is wondering the same question: “Why?”No one left behind understands why the person they loved so much would commit suicide. Why, when they could have asked for help and saved their family from grief, would that person choose to end their lives. It hurts in ways I can’t describe, in ways no one can describe. The turmoil inside makes HurricaneKatrina, and the devastation it left behind look like a pleasing dream, instead of the nightmare it was.  Those left behind suffer the consequences of the choice their loved one made. Family and friends start to blame themselves for their loved one’s decision to take his or her life. After a little while, if not given the support and help needed, those left behind start to think about making the same choice. Anyone who has been left behind to suffer from this tragedy will say that no one should ever have to experience this. This show teaches that suicide is a solution. Suicide is not a solution; it’s a tragedy.

The producers of this series have called it a positive message, helping to promote suicide awareness. However, several suicide awareness/prevention groups, doctors, psychologists, teachers, parents, and even some teens have all come to the conclusion that this show is anything but positive. It has promoted suicide awareness, while also promoting committing suicide by showing detailed suicidal scenes. As a result this series increased suicides by 19%. This series also shows rape and pornographic scenes. If rape were a positive thing, it wouldn’t be a crime people are arrested for. If porn were a positive thing people wouldn’t watch it secretively behind closed doors. If porn were a positive thing we wouldn’t call it an addiction, and we wouldn’t have trained professionals to help people get over their addiction. If suicide were a positive thing we wouldn’t call it a tragedy, but instead we would shrug our shoulders and say, “Oh well.” If “committed” were a positive word it would not be constantly associated with a crime or tragedy. Committing suicide, committing rape, and being addicted to porn are not positive things, but this series promotes all these things as positive awareness messages.

Life is precious. Everyone wants to have life, a happy life. If not in this world, than in the next world. Most believe in an afterlife, no matter who it is or what religion you practice, there is an afterlife, and it is a place of perfection and happiness. Some desire life here, where they feel they are happy. No matter what way you go about it, every onewants to live their life and be happy. There is an instinct ingrained in us that causes us to want to live. We constantly fight to have the best, fullest life we can. Everyone knows it’s wrong to take a life, even those who take the lives of others often. Serial killers kill because they want to make people suffer as they do, because they have mental illnesses that were not properly treated. Terrorists kill because they believe anyone not following the irreligion should die for the act of disobedience against their god. All who kill do so to make people suffer but, they all know it’s wrong. When one takes another’s life it’s considered a tragedy, and a terrible thing for one to do.When one takes one’s own life it’s considered a tragedy, and a terrible thing for one to do. Murder and self-murder are wrong. This show continuously promotes self-murder.

This series should have no place in our children’s lives. It’s appalling, unethical, and detrimental. Is this a show we want our children and adolescents to watch and learn from? Do we want our kids to know there is hope, suicide is not a solution, and that they can talk to us no matter what, or do we want to support a show that teaches our teens how to commit suicide, get addicted to porn, and to rape and bully other people? This is not just entertainment. Young people’s lives are at stake as long as “Thirteen Reasons Why” continues to play in our homes and on internet services such as Netflix. Don’t let this show persist any longer. Fight for our children; their welfare and their lives. Just as any good grocery store removes rotten items from it’s shelves and just as any good police officer removes a dangerous person from society. Netflix should remove the series “13 Reasons Why” from its menu of offerings and help save the lives of our nation’s young people.

–By Abigail E. Riebel

Featured Download: To read about how mythology saved me from suicide, click here.