3 Reasons Why You Might Not Want to Watch 13 Reasons Why

I just finished watching the popular Netflix series, "13 Reasons Why." The episodes are based on the book (which I have not read yet) about a girl named Hannah Baker, who died by suicide. Before she died, she recorded 13 cassette tapes explaining the reasons behind her decision. Each of the tapes name a person who she claims caused her to make her choice. The story follows Hannah's friend named Clay Jensen as he listens to the tapes, interspersed with flashbacks from Hannah's life.

When my coworker told me about the show, I knew right away that I wanted to watch it due to my interest in mental illness and my hope to become a cognitive behavioral therapist someday. Unlike my coworker, I didn't binge watch the entire series in one night, so I apologize that this post is a bit late in coming.

The story is powerful - though the first few episodes seem a little slow, the story picks up and builds into the climax. The show is emotional and intense to say the least. It doesn't shy away from sensitive issues, including rape. It definitely got me thinking, and kudos to my fiancé for listening to my many rants.

This isn't really a review of the show, because you can find many of those on the internet already. These are simply my personal observations as someone who is an advocate for raising awareness of mental illness and someone who struggles with depression and anxiety. 

First of all, I think the show's producers, actors, etc. made 13 Reasons Why for the best of reasons. The show even offers a suicide hotline. When I watched "Beyond the Reasons," a bonus feature offered on Netflix, it seems that everyone involved in the show is well meaning and really wants to help teens (and anyone, really) struggling with suicide. It seems that they truly desire the show's viewers to find hope through the show. But I'm not sure if 13 Reasons Why achieved its goal.

1. I'm really concerned about the show's popularity. I understand that this isn't exactly the fault of the show per se, but I heard several of my coworkers (one young adult, one teenager) talking about the show (and how they also watched it in one night). But the show wasn't opening up conversations for them to talk about each other's mental health. They were simply saying, "Hey, did you watch 13 Reasons Why? It's such a good show!" and that's all. I'm really scared that people will just watch the show because it's popular (and because it's a decent drama), but as they watch it, they will see suicide sensationalized. Hannah's onscreen suicide is horrible to watch, and it's meant to be. I admit that the first time, I couldn't watch it and skipped the scene. But even though I don't think people will watch the scene and suddenly decide to kill themselves, I'm worried that instead of furthering mental health, the show will do the complete opposite.

You see, Hannah's suicide is the basis of the whole story, but that shouldn't be all that it is. Suicide is not just a story element in a Netflix drama - it's a tragic choice that 121 Americans make each day. I foresee the emotional impact the show will make on its viewers - for a few weeks or perhaps months after watching 13 Reasons Why, teenagers and young adults will repost and share posts about mental health and how there is hope for those struggling with depression and anxiety. But after a while, the emotion will fade away, and so will the posts and photos. The viewers will then move on, searching for the next tragedy to become emotional about.

2. I'm concerned that the show's storyline might form misconceptions about suicide. Even though the show claims that Hannah died of a "broken soul", the storyline and first several episodes seem to give the impression that she dies by suicide to get revenge on those who have hurt her. This is similar to my concern about The Fault in Our Stars, where girls read the book and thought they knew all about what it was like to have cancer. Not everyone with suicidal ideation thinks and acts exactly like Hannah Baker. Not everyone who dies by suicide dies out of revenge - in fact, I have never heard of anyone doing so.

3. 13 Reasons Why is rated TV-MA and includes viewer discretion notices before certain episodes. I am still concerned, however, that for people who might be struggling with suicidal ideation, that this show will be triggering. Also, not everyone can watch graphic depictions of suicide and rape, and that's okay - there are other ways to educate yourself about those issues, such as reading articles or books. 

I'm not saying that it's a bad show or that you shouldn't watch it, but before you go and binge watch 13 Reasons Why because your friend told you "it's such a great show," please consider your own mental health and the reasons why you want to watch the show. And if you've already seen it, hopefully these observations will be helpful to you, or at least give you something to think on.