NETFLIX ADDS TRIGGER WARNINGS TO SUICIDE SHOW
Netflix has added trigger warnings ahead of every episode of its series 13 Reasons Why after a deluge of criticism from educators and mental health professionals across North America.
In the Netflix adaptation of Jay Asher’s popular novel, a high school student commits suicide and leads her classmates to piece together the 13 reasons why she chose to take her own life through a series of tapes she left behind.
The series, which debuted in March, has quickly become a Netflix favourite among teens, but it has also picked up a whole lot of controversy because of its uncensored scenes of rape and suicide. According to the network, those scenes were included to show teens just how serious those subjects can be, while simultaneously spotlighting the complexities of mental illness.
The series creators even changed the lead’s method of suicide from the book, from overdosing on pills to slitting her wrists in efforts to amp up the graphic nature and, therefore, the gravity of the situation. Nonetheless, according to one Canadian school and school board — and countless other Twitter megaphones — the show is only serving to glamorize suicide.
St. Vincent Elementary School in Edmonton is banning any mention of the series on campus and sent out a mass email to students’ parents, writing, “The discussion that is unfolding at school is troubling. This series is rated Mature and the theme is the suicide of a high school student. This show includes graphic violence (rape) and gore, profanity, alcohol/drugs/smoking, and frightening/intense scenes. The purpose of this email is to provide you with this information. Please let your child know that discussion of 13 Reasons Why is not permitted at school due to the disturbing subject matter.”
In Ontario, the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board took things a step further, claiming the show was leading to the “glamorization of suicidal behaviour and (depicting) negative portrayals of helping professionals.”
School Mental Health Assist, an organization that works with the Ontario Ministry of Education, warned that the material was “potentially triggering for vulnerable young people.”
The English Montreal School Board has also urged caution.
The National Association of School Psychologists sent a notice to school mental health professionals across the country about how to talk about the show. A spokeswoman said it was the first time the association had put out guidance in response to a television show.
“Across the suicide prevention communities and experts, there is concern in the way that the suicide is portrayed and the build up to the suicide ... could trigger suicide contagion or copycat behaviour,” association spokeswoman Kathy Cowan said.
In an effort to steer clear of any backlash, Netflix has already included advisory warnings before the episodes depicting the graphic scenes.
In a statement, Netflix said, “While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting an important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories. Currently, the episodes that carry graphic content are identified as such and the series overall carries a TV-MA rating.
“Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series and have also strengthened the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter, including 13ReasonsWhy.info — a global resource centre that provides information about professional organizations that support help around the serious matters addressed in the show.”