The perils of 13 reasons why

A new Netflix show that grapples with teen suicide and rape has grabbed headlines and drawn positive reviews from critics, but some mental health advocates worry "13 Reasons Why" has and will continue to cause irreparable damage to some of its viewers.

The show, based on a novel by the same name, was released on March 31. It centers on the events that led to the suicide of a 17-year-old girl. The protagonist leaves behind a series of tapes for the people she claims caused her to take her own life, and each episode is narrated by the girl explaining herself.

Among the series' most controversial moments are multiple graphic depictions of rape, as well as the main character's suicide.

Some critics have applauded the inclusion of those scenes, calling them an unflinching portrayal of real issues experienced by teens. Others argue the negative, sociological effects of such content outweigh its benefits.

After a spike in phone calls to the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network after the show's release, the agency issued a statement urging viewer caution.

"Teenagers should not watch this show without a parent or guardian present," the statements reads.

"The show's depictions of suicide, sexual assault and bullying could prove triggering, and some people with a history of mental illness or trauma may need to avoid it entirely as a result."

Members of the agency worry the graphic nature of the show ultimately glorifies and sensationalizes suicide and could have a lasting impact on both children and adults who are at risk of harming themselves.

"TSPN wishes to note that the portrayal of suicide in the mass media has been connected to increased incidents of suicide, especially if these portrayals are not accompanied by notices about available suicide prevention," the release reads.

"This contagion effect has been documented as far back as the 18th century and confirmed by extensive research."

Scott Ridgway, executive director of TSPN, says several of his employees have seen it and were mortified.

"That's not healthy for anyone to see," he says. "They're in this field, and they thought it was very graphic and distasteful."

That doesn't mean children aren't drawn to it - especially when their peers have seen it.

"Kids are talking about the movie. People are talking about the series in inpatient programs," Ridgway says. "It's been very disturbing."

Trevor Fuller, an English teacher at Soddy-Daisy High School, saw firsthand the impact it was having on his students when he asked how many of them had seen it. Nearly all of them raised their hands.

He and his wife then watched it on their own at home, and he organized a unit around the movie and book to help his students process what they were already consuming on their own.

"I thought it would be irresponsible to know my kids were watching it and not discuss it," he says. "Let's have a discussion about what you're seeing and what's proper and not proper."

His classes used state and national resources to learn about legitimate signs of depression and then wrote character sketches about individuals showing those signs.

Several of his students used personal experiences to guide their writing and, after learning about what separates depression from general sadness, many began to think about where it had touched their lives or those of people close to them.

"Once they looked at the true warning signs, they thought they had friends who probably suffered from depression but did a good job at hiding of it because of the stigma," he says.

Contact Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.

How to get help

› If you feel you are in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The hotline is a free, 24-hour service and callers are routed immediately to the nearest crisis center.› A crisis text line can also be used by texting “TN” to 741741. › Non-emergency resources about suicide prevention and mental health can be found at www.tspn.org.› Call the National Hopeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (2433).

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