‘13 Reasons’ to fret
DOE warning to parents on Netflix suicide series
The city Department of Education is urging principals to warn parents about the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” which focuses on a student who commits suicide.
Officials drafted a letter to forward to parents about the popular series which reads, “If your child is talking about this series or you are aware that they are watching it, ask them what they are thinking about.
“Remind them that you are there for them and that there are school professionals always available to answer questions, to listen and to connect them with people and places to assist them with anything that challenges them.”
The letter was first reported by Chalkbeat.com
The popular series, based on a young adult novel, was recently named the most tweeted-about show of 2017. The 13 episodes discuss sexual assault, bullying, suicide and the failure of adults to address students’ concerns. It has provoked criticism from counselors, who complain it glorifies suicide.
“We do not recommend that vul- nerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series,” the National Association of School Psychologists said in a statement.
Netflix announced this week it would add a warning at the start of each episode as a precaution.
City education officials didn’t discourage students from watching, but emphasized that adults should be available as a sounding board.
In a May 2 note to principals, DOE officials said it’s important to prepare for conversations with students about topics raised by the show, including depression and mental health.
“We want students to know that we have resources available to support them,” reads the letter by Jaye Murray and Lois Herrera, the DOE’s executive directors of the Office of Counseling Support and Office of Safety and Youth Development, respectively.
The DOE also said it provides suicide awareness training to all schools, conducted by the Samaritans of NY.
Other jurisdictions have taken even more drastic action. A school in Alberta, Canada, is attempting to ban all talk about “13 Reasons Why,” CBC News reported.