Concerns that the popular Netflix series 13 Reasons Why could be triggering for students at risk of suicide has prompted local French Catholic schools to send a letter about the series home with students.
If you haven't watched it already, the show is about a high school student, Hannah Baker, who committed suicide after suffering a series of demoralizing circumstances brought on by select individuals at her school.
A box of cassette tapes recorded by Hannah before her suicide details 13 reasons why she ended her life.
Some students have unsupervised access to Netflix, and parents might be unaware the series even exists and their kids are watching it, said Tracy Rossini, Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) director of special education.
That's partly why the letter was sent out, she said.
The series depicts a “graphic portrayal of death by suicide,” Rossini said, and other mature subject matter, such as rape.
“Most students can manage that difficult material emotionally, but there are some young people that would be put at risk by viewing the graphic scenes and certain misleading messages about suicide,” she said.
The board's mental health lead, Michelle Cotnoir, said she's concerned the series “glamourizes” suicide and fails to “offer messages of hope for people struggling with mental illness.”
That's not to say the board is advising parents not to let their kids watch it — that's obviously a decision families have to make.
If your child wants to watch 13 Reasons Why, Cotnoir has a number of suggestions. The letter sent home to parents also contains suggestions for families watching the series.
You can watch it alongside your kids and discuss the content (such discussions should also take place if they've already watched the series).
Ask “open-ended questions” to see how your child feels about the subject matter. Then steer the conversation onto the topic of mental health.
You can encourage them to reach out trusted adults if they ever have difficulties, and discuss things that contribute to good mental health, such as exercise, reading and spending time with friends.
Cotnoir said she has a daughter who's 13, and the series is currently popular among her daughter's peers.
But after watching it herself, Cotnoir told her daughter she feels the show's subject matter is too mature for someone her age.
“The content is too advanced in my mind for a 12- or 13-year-old,” she said. “That's my opinion. But it doesn't mean every parent would share that.”
