‘13 Reasons’ sparks criticism of teen suicide depiction

Associated Press

NEW YORK

It’s a scene as painful to watch as it is graphic: A 17-year-old girl climbs into a full bathtub with a razor. We see her slice into her skin, we see the blood pour out, hear her cry and struggle to breathe. Then she is still.

The suicide of the heroine in Netflix’s new popular series “13 Reasons Why” shouldn’t come as a shock, since it’s depicted in the final episode of a series built around the character’s death. But knowing that it is coming doesn’t make it any easier.

That stomach-turning scene has triggered criticism that it romanticizes suicide and prompted many schools across the country to send warning letters to parents. The show’s creators are unapologetic, saying their frank depiction needs to be “unflinching and raw.”

“Many people are accusing the show of glamorizing suicide and I feel strongly that we did the exact opposite,” said writer Brian Yorkey, who won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for the stage play “Next to Normal,” which grappled with mental illness. “What we did was portray suicide and we portrayed it as very ugly and very damaging.”

The 13-episode drama is based on Jay Asher’s young-adult 2007 bestseller about a high school student who kills herself and leaves behind 13 audiotapes detailing the events that led to her death, including sexual assault, substance abuse and bullying.

Per usual, Netflix released all 13 hours of the series at once – on March 31 – leaving suicide prevention specialists worried teens might binge the entire series without a chance to fully absorb the issues. They also say they wish the show would consistently flash the National Suicide Prevention hotline.

“Graphic details about suicide we know historically are not recommended,” said Phyllis Alongi of The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. “I understand what the producers are saying but it could really be unsafe and I think we need to be a little more responsible.”

The show creators point out that several mental health professionals were consulted and they offer a 30-minute show called “Beyond the Reasons” that delves into the topics portrayed, as well as links to a site with resources.