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#50: '13 Reasons Why' Season 1 Parent Guide - How to Talk to Your Kids About Suicide - SmartSocial.com Podcast with Josh Ochs

Author
Josh Ochs
Published
Wed 23 May 2018
Episode Link
https://SmartSocial.com

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Season 1 Parent Synopsis for 13 Reasons Why




  • 13 Reasons Why is a Netflix series that depicts suicide in a graphic manner and is incredibly popular with teens. Currently, the show has 2 seasons available to watch on Netflix




  • In season 1, the show focuses on a high school student named Clay and his friend Hannah




  • Hannah takes her own life and leaves behind a set of cassette tapes that describe the 13 reasons why she ended her life




  • Hannah dedicates each one of the 13 tapes to a different classmate who has hurt her in some way




  • Difficult subject matter is a common focus on the show like bullying, drunk driving, rape, self-harm, and suicide




  • The show can be very graphic. There are several episodes in season 1 that showcase difficult subject matter in great detail




  • For season 1, Netflix released a 30 minute special called “Beyond the Reasons,” that has mental health professionals, cast members, writers, and producers discussing the difficult themes presented in the show




What do parents need to know about season 1?




  • 13 Reasons Why is incredibly popular with teens. According to a marketing analytics firm, the first season of the show was the second-most viewed Netflix season in the first 30 days after it premiered




  • Parents will see an uptick in popularity since season 2 of the show was released on May 18, 2018




  • Many educators and psychologists have raised concerns that the show may serve as a trigger for self-injury among vulnerable students




  • In New Zealand, students under the age of 18 are strongly discouraged from watching the series without a parent or guardian present




  • Netflix added strong advisory warnings before episodes 1, 12, and 13 of the first season due to the portrayal of suicide and self-harm




  • After every episode there are mental health resources and a message that depression and suicide can be effectively treated by a qualified mental health professional




  • Episode 13 of season 1 is very graphic and shows Hannah’s suicide in great detail




  • A recent study found that the release of 13 Reasons Why corresponded with between 900,000 – 1,500,000 more suicide related internet searches in the U.S., including a 26% increase in searches for “how to commit suicide”




  • Some mental health professionals criticize the show for showcasing misleading information which could deter vulnerable students from seeking help. For example, Hannah’s counselor says they can’t report her sexual assault to the police without her identifying the assailant




  • Over the course of the first season, the following difficult topics are presented: bullying, drunk driving, rape, self-harm and suicide

    Some say the show sends a dangerous message that suicide can be used to “get back” at others




  • Some of the mental health organizations and educators who have released statements regarding the risks the show poses are: the National Association of School Psychologists, the Superintendent of Palm Beach County, Florida schools, the U.S. Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the Canadian Mental Health Association




What can parents do?




  • We recommend that students younger than 18 years old do not watch this series




  • Be aware of the show, it’s graphic nature, and the topics portrayed




  • Ensure that your children know that the show is not reality and can romanticize self-harm




  • Parents can create a PIN which allows them to view the Netflix series before giving their students access to it




  • Parents can watch the show to better understand the perspective of a vulnerable student




  • Teach your children that they can always come to you or a trusted adult if they have an incident, want to talk, or have questions




  • If you decide that your teen is ready to watch 13 Reasons Why, watch it with them and use it as an opportunity to start an open dialog about the sensitive topics presented in the show




  • Teach your student to never confront someone in a dangerous situation — especially if they have a weapon. Instead they should alert authorities, teachers, parents, or trusted adults right away




  • Tell your students to follow their gut, if something doesn’t feel right they need to seek help from an adult




  • Consider joining Parent University to get access to our bullying prevention curriculum for parents, students, and schools




Read more here: https://smartsocial.com/blog/


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