EDITORIAL: Netflix series about suicide is important for parents

Salem News - 5/8/2017

May 08--A few weeks ago, the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" was just one of the thousands if titles available to the viewing audience. Like any other series, it had followers, but it was hardly the topic of conversation among the masses.

That all changed toward the end of April as parents, educators and members of the psychological community began to take note of the show's portrayal of modern high school life. It delves into topics such as cyberbullying, shaming, substance abuse, sexual assault, physical violence and harassment before reaching the graphic, minutes-long scene in which the female protagonist, 17-year-old Hannah Baker, commits suicide in a bathtub. Left behind are cassette tapes on which she has recorded the 13 reasons why she did so, speaking directly to the people whom she believes were responsible.

Now "13 Reasons Why" has provoked a hot national debate with some saying it goes too far in its depiction of the suicide, as well as the toxic circumstances faced by high-schoolers. Others argue that it's just this sort of attention that will open up necessary conversations.

The show most certainly is hard to watch, though we agree with those who urge conversations with teenagers about this series. The most important of these serious, difficult, necessary conversations is between parents and their children at home.

The National Association of School Psychologists recently distributed a letter warning of potential copycat behaviors and reminding of the vulnerability of young people in middle and high school.

"The series, which many teenagers are binge watching without adult guidance and support, is raising concerns from suicide prevention experts about the potential risks posed by the sensationalized treatment of youth suicide," the statement says.

On Cape Ann, Rockport public schools and the Manchester Essex Regional School District have reached out to parents to make them aware of the series. Gloucester Superintendent Richard Safier said he was considering how to respond to the shows.

Letters from educators have included resources recommended by the association of school psychologists.

Commendably these messages are less about whether children should see the show; banning teenagers from watching anything, in most cases, seems likely to backfire. Instead school officials urge parents to be mindful of what kids are seeing by watching the series alongside them, when possible, and then talking about it.

"It's a sensitive topic and we're going to let the parents handle it," Rockport Superintendent Robert Liebow told reporter Ray Lamont. "We're not going to overreact to it, but we're not going to under-react to it. Kids have been talking about it, and it's a bit of a Pandora's box -- you hear about it and you want to see it.

"We encourage parents to discuss the show and these issues with their children if they have seen it," he added. "But if young kids are seeing it without some preparation for it, that's not a good thing."

One sad, disturbing theme to "13 Reasons Why" is that the adult characters -- Hannah's parents, other parents and school counselors among them -- do not address or perhaps even recognize the main character's pleas for help, nor those of her peers. Throughout the series, it seems most parents have no idea what their children are dealing with or doing. It's the opposite, of course, of what we strive for in the real world.

So, however problematic one believes the series to be, "13 Reasons Why" is groundbreaking in that it dares to address the prickly topic of teen suicide.

If we are alarmed, we should be. There's a lot of truth in the series. And if that helps adults better understand how teens feel, think and react, then when it comes time for talking, we'll be better prepared to navigate these tricky conversations and gain insight into our children's worlds.

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