The controversial Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” promoted conversations between teens and parents around difficult topics like suicide and bullying, but also sparked a firestorm of criticism over its graphic content and concern about copycat suicides.
“Anecdotally, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and other emergency departments saw a notable increase in kids coming into the emergency room who reported feeling suicidal and related their suicidality in some way to the show,” said Harold I. Schwartz, MD, psychiatrist-in-chief at the Institute of Living and vice president of behavioral health at Hartford HealthCare.
With the second season of “13 Reasons Why” looming and the results of a worldwide study of the show’s impact complete, Netflix has announced it will include more educational content with the show’s sequel, scheduled for release in 2018.
The study was commissioned by Netflix and led by Northwestern University researchers who surveyed more than 5,000 teens, young adults and parents. It found that:
• 58 percent of teen viewers reported talking to their parents about the show and related issues.
• Approximately 75 percent of teens and young adults found the show relatable.
• More than 70 percent of the parents and teens who watched “13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons,” the show’s companion documentary, said they would have liked more access to informational resources.
“I’m not surprised by the results of the survey — we’ve long held that ’13 Reasons Why’ had great potential to enhance discussion about difficult issues,” said Schwartz. “These are topics that kids relate to, but they aren’t often speaking with their teachers, administrators and parents about them. The show has started an inter-generational discussion.”
Released in March 2017, “13 Reasons Why,” tells the story of teenager Hannah Baker who takes her own life and leaves behind cassette tapes chronicling the 13 reasons why she did it. The show quickly came under scrutiny and criticism for its graphic themes, which include suicide, sexual assault, substance abuse and bullying.
The need for community education quickly became evident.
The Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, in partnership with local schools and organizations, sponsored a series of community forums that attracted hundreds of students, parents, social workers and teachers from across the state. The series — 13 Reasons Why (and Why Not) — received an award from the New England Society for Health Care Communications.
Similar community forums will likely be scheduled when the second season debuts. In response to results from the study, Netflix will add trigger warnings to the start of each episode with actors and actresses from the show coming out of character to discuss the sensitive nature of the show.
“The more Netflix engages their audience pre-show and post-show around the issues, the better,” Dr. Schwartz said. “It’s still important, however, that parents and schools continue to have open dialogues with students around these topics.”
Dr. Schwartz added that the study only tells half of the story when it comes to the show’s potential impact.
“The study unfortunately did not ask children, teens or adolescents whether the show made them feel more despondent or suicidal, or if it hurt them psychologically in any way,” Dr. Schwartz said.
Based on the ending of the first season, some have speculated that the second season may involve a school shooting, which Dr. Schwartz warns could be even more traumatic for young viewers.
“The impact of school shootings on the national psyche has continued to worsen,” Dr. Schwartz said. “A program that highlights a school shooting will be extremely disturbing, likely more so than an individual suicide. If that happens, Netflix has an obligation to forewarn viewers, and it will increase the need for parents and schools to proactively engage with students as they’re watching this.”
The HHC Behavioral Health Network offers resources for parents, schools and students around mental health and suicide, including Mental Health First Aid on the third Friday of each month and Youth Mental Health First Aid. For more information or to register, visit www.hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness.