Panel to explore controversial show 13 Reasons Why and teen suicide
The Regina Public Library is tackling the sensitive topic of teen suicide with a panel discussion on the controversial bestseller and TV series 13 Reasons Why.
Published in 2007, the book was then transformed into a TV series in March. It tells the story of Hannah Baker, who commits suicide and leaves behind cassette tapes with recordings for the people she felt were responsible for her death.
Sparking a heated debate, critics feel the story glorifies suicide and sets a bad example for youth. Others believe it opened up an important conversation.
“It deals with suicide, which is a very sensitive topic, but nowhere throughout the book or the show does it really discuss mental wellness or mental health and I think that’s pretty disappointing,” said Jim Demeray, one of the discussion panellists.
Demeray is the co-founder of UnderstandUS, a local volunteer initiative that works to reduce the stigma of mental health. Its mission is to help youth overcome mental health barriers through education and awareness.
“There has to be an element of mental illness to go to that extreme and (the show) didn’t do a good job of showing that,” he said.
By not addressing the mental health issues that may have been a factor, he says the story doesn’t give enough context for readers and viewers to properly digest it.
But he doesn’t feel the book or the show glorifies suicide, instead he said it showed how the main character failed to take ownership over her own feelings and emotions, by putting the blame on others — what Demeray describes as a very dangerous thing to do.
Megan McCormick, RPL events co-ordinator, hopes the discussion will be a way for the public to explore the topic in a productive way.
“I think it’s really cool that instead of shying away and not talking about something because there’s the possibility for that uncomfortable conversation,” said McCormick, “hopefully people leave with their mind a little bit more open.”
Leading the discussion is the RPL’s writer-in-residence Andrew Battershill. McCormick said as a writer, Battershill wants to give the public the tools they need to look at writing critically, especially with a book that deals with such an important topic.
She said readers need to be prepared to either read more about a topic or find someone to talk to in order to put issues like suicide into context.
“One of the problems with the book is (people) feel like it doesn’t realistically show what would happen or it dramatizes what someone would actually go through and that’s the risk in that,” said McCormick.
Demeray feels the show does send an important message, which is to always be careful about how you treat others because you might not know what they are going through.
The panel discussion takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the George Bothwell branch. Regina Police Chief Evan Bray is also a panellist.
Registration is open prior to the event, but drop-ins are also welcome.