13 Reasons Why – A graphic depiction of young people’s mental health on screen by Sheyi Ogunshakin

Th1rteen R3asons Why is a young adult novel written by Jay Asher (2007) about a teenage girl who commits suicide. The novel was adapted into a 13-episode Netflix original series titled 13 Reasons Why and has received wide-ranging criticism.

The show follows 17 year old Clay Jenson (Dylan Minnette) as he listens to seven double sided cassette tapes recorded by 17 year old Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) before she took her life. The tapes detail the 13 reasons that led to Hannah Baker’s depression and subsequent suicide. The ‘nouveau murder mystery’ highlights the impact of bullying in schools, young people’s mental health, resilience and the effect that an accumulation of seemingly trivial incidences combined with traumatic events can have on a young person. Some episodes of 13 Reasons Why begin with disclaimers about the graphic nature of the content.

The Netflix series, which is currently the platform’s most popular show, has been praised for revealing an ‘un-sensationalised portrait’ of American high school life as well as shining a light on the ‘rough but sadly familiar’ events Hannah Baker suffered, which include loneliness, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape. However, the show has also been criticised for ‘glamourizing suicide’ with some mental health organisations warning that the series could have a damaging effect on vulnerable viewers. Notably, a mental health group in Australia has reported a steady increase in calls and emails to suicide helplines. Kristen Douglas, national manager at Australian mental health charity Headspace commented: “There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and on a young audience in particular” adding that “national and international research clearly indicates the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure leading to increased risk and possible suicide contagion”. Despite Australia’s strict guidelines around suicide depiction, Douglas believes that part of the issue lies behind the access young people have to international content, which makes it more difficult to exercise consistent warnings.

Despite such criticisms, the show has been hailed for de-stigmatising issues surrounding mental health by taking a ‘hard look at suicide from the perspective of a teenager’ and the role parents, teachers and councillors play in young people’s lives. In an interview Nic Sheff, a writer on the Netflix drama, revealed that he believed it would have been irresponsible to not show Hannah’s death: “I’m proud to be a part of a television series that is forcing us to have these conversations, because silence really does equal death. We need to keep talking, keep sharing, and keep showing the realities of what teens in our society are dealing with every day. To do anything else would be not only irresponsible, but dangerous”.

The series appears at a time when mental health is being widely spoken about. The Royal Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, seeks to change the conversation around mental health and wellbeing through its Heads Together campaign. Its Cyberbullying Taskforce brings together industry partners from the sector to develop an industry-wide response to the online bullying of young people. Family Kids & Youth’s research for the Taskforce can be found here.

Sheyi Ogunshakin is a Research Executive at Family Kids & Youth and was one of the team running our research workshops with young people about bullying for The Royal Foundation’s Cyberbullying Taskforce.