TV SHOW DOESN'T PROVOKE SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR

I am writing in response to Natalie Mota’s and Christine Henriksen’s Sept. 3 opinion piece on CBC’s website: “For years, we worried 13 Reasons Why could provoke suicidal behaviours. Now we have the evidence.” Although Mota and Henriksen supported their opinion very well, I disagree with them – 13 Reasons Why is not provoking suicidal behaviour. This show discusses heavy subjects such as suicide, sexual assault, and several more topics we don’t talk about every day. As previously mentioned, these topics aren't spoken about frequently, the show 13 Reasons Why allows the youth to learn about these real-life situations. This show also allows our generation to feel free to ask questions that we haven’t been comfortable to ask before watching the show.

The main point that these writers repeatedly brings up is the “copycat” method. They personally believe other citizens watching the televised show would want to recreate what the actors are doing. In reality, showing these advanced scenes are actually allowing us to make progress around what is occurring in our world. This show is allowing us to bring further knowledge into our generation about how we can help someone that’s had, or is having, suicidal thoughts. Also, it helps us understand how we can get help for someone who is struggling. As well, it demonstrates how everyone’s words do matter and eventually, you’ll be heard. Lastly, it contributes to our understanding that suicide is not the answer to our problems. Although rates of suicide have gone up since the show came out, there are so many other reasons why suicide rates could’ve gone up.

13 Reasons Why encourages the world to understand how to deal with all those previously mentioned scenarios throughout the entire series. An example of how the show displays these topics are; when one of the main characters in the second season had suicidal thoughts, he goes to the school counsellor, as well he goes to therapy. Lastly, he starts talking to his friends about his thoughts and starts to turn his life around.

This example shows that 13 Reasons Why can help an excessive amount of people deal with a never-ending list of problems that occur every day for us. 13 Reasons Why does not provoke suicidal behaviours. In fact, it allows us to be able to talk about sensitive topics, such as suicide. As well, it allows us to learn how to support others going through it.

Kaitlyn Smith (Three Oaks High School student), Summerside