Schools tackle TV show’s topics
The renewal of controversial series 13 Reasons Why for a second season has sparked a response from schools still dealing with the aftermath of season one.
This week, Wellington College headmaster Roger Moses sent a message to parents alerting them to the programme and offering guidance on how to talk to their children about it.
‘‘I am very aware that a number of our students will have watched this series, and I also believe that a 2018 series has been produced, so the issues presented will be talked about for a while yet.’’
‘‘While many young people are resilient and capable of differentiating between a TV drama and real life, engaging in thoughtful conversations with them about the show is vital,’’ he said.
The Netflix show tells the story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who kills herself and leaves behind cassette tapes detailing how her classmates contributed to her death.
It addresses contentious topics such as bullying, drinkdriving and rape, while also featuring a graphic depiction of suicide.
Moses, in his letter to parents in the school’s community, said that the series had generated a lot of ‘‘vigorous discussion and debate’’.
He believed that it was important that students were able to talk about the show and any arising issues with their families.
‘‘While the show has highlighted issues that are relevant to youth and often swept under the carpet, it has also sparked warnings from mental health professionals and others expressing concern about copycat behaviour.’’
He also outlined several talking points to help parents begin discussing the show with their children.
‘‘Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help,’’ Moses said.
Wellington College isn’t the only school taking a proactive approach in discussing the series with students.
Tawa College principal Murray Lucas said his school had recently hosted a meeting about adolescent health for all parents to attend. That event had dealt with issues such as depression and self-harm.
An education expert from Victoria University had addressed the crowd and told it the show was not a good thing to be watching, and anyone under 18 needed to watch it with a family member.
The school had also sent emails with information to parents.
New Zealand Association of Counsellors spokeswoman and school counsellor Sarah Maindonald said that, given many students had seen the show, it was important that schools were prepared to respond properly.
Maindonald was concerned that teenagers might identify with Hannah, the main character in the American show who does commit suicide.
‘‘In the programme, she’s getting a lot of fame and kudos and everybody’s talking about it. It does glamorise suicide.’’