A Precautionary Warning for Parents Regarding "Thirteen Reasons Why" series

4/27/2017

Dear Parents and Guardians:
This letter is to make you aware of the popular Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.
Within the last week or so, our staff have been made aware of a new series that is being shown on Netflix which has the potential to glamorize suicide and has a large amount of graphic content and as such, the PORTA District would like to make sure parents are aware. The story revolves around a High School student who leaves behind 13 tape recordings telling why she took her own life. Her friends try to piece together Hannah's final days in the series, "Thirteen Reasons Why".
After hearing from students about the series, several PORTA Staff Members have taken the time to watch the series and feel that, young people and teens could interpret the message that suicide is a viable and/or romanticized option. The show’s content is extremely graphic, with disturbing scenes in each episode, which may be difficult for young impressionable minds to watch and process in an appropriate manner.
What has become evident to our staff is that the show mentions no behavioral or treatment options that were or could have been offered to Hannah, it glamorizes Suicide and there is no notion of teens seeking help for any indicators that might lead to suicidal tendencies. Additionally, there are several scenes depicting rape, bullying, alcoholism and suicide in which teens do not seek help or any kind of resource. Finally, the graphic portrayal of Hannah's suicide is/was disturbing to the degree that staff have reported the scenes cause them to lose sleep at the thought of young impressionable teens witnessing the event.
While we cannot determine what parents allow students to watch or read we caution everyone to monitor programming students are watching and if you feel watching "Thirteen Reasons Why" is appropriate please use the opportunity to discuss a very complicated issue with your children. However, as the time passes staff members will continue to monitor conversations and actions within the school walls and as we become concerned about any student or students parents will be notified as a step to insure the safety of our children.

We also encourage parents to research the series to fully understand the graphic nature and the potential harm it could cause your child.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter. Should you feel the need for more information or support, please contact your child’s principal.

As a way to begin a conversation with your child, the Jed Foundation offers talking points associated with "Thirteen Reasons Why", Please feel free to click the link below to begin your dialog with your child.

https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-why-talking-points/

Tonia

4/27/2017 08:41:24 am

Here is another point to look at from a psychological stand point.
Not all teenagers nor adults seek help when circumstances arise. They feel this is the life they were dealt and have to deal with it. When depression plays a major role factor in someones life, yet they dont know they are depressed, they just know they are having an extremely hard life.
People dont like to talk about depression because not everyone in this society accepts it. There are people in this world who believe its a major weakness. There is no help. If people/friends know you are medication for depression, then there is the label of "psycho", crazy, etc.
When it comes to suicide and depression... the one factor that needs to be looked upon is this... they dont ask for help, they just do it, they feel this is the only solution. Depression is a major issue amd it is not a weakness. Unfortunately i have had several friends without warning, without any knowledge that they were struggling with their own demons, depression, life in itself, commit suicide. Ones who commit suicide without warning or seeking help, will never reach out and tell someone they are going to commit suicide, they just do it.. people who reach out for help, sayimg i want to kill myself, they really dont, they are in their own ways reaching out for help and support..
I have tried a few times myself as a teenager and an adult.
I have not yet watched this, nor will I because i do suffer with major depression disorder along with other issues so i camt say they are glorifying suicide. Take it as you will... but its about the struggle of not beimf able to see past the dreary crap that teenagers go through and they dont see any answers but to leave this cruel hateful world because they are bullied, they have been raped, beat up, have turned to drugs and alcohol to escape the world of reality.
The way i read this.. teenagers nees to love one another, understand every around them has their own trials and tribulations with life and need support in getting through it.
If the bullying would stop, the fighting over petty, little minut thing, support one another with any situation, ask and reach out for help, seek help and dont try and figure things out without it being in an irrational manor, life can be good.
Depression is real and needs to be taken seriously instead of a weakness.

Get Real pt 2

4/27/2017 11:12:51 am

You obviously have no clue what the point of this show is, you only see it glamorizing suicide bc you know for a fact this shit happens in your school and you dont want suicide on your hands. maybe you should actually you know CARE about the students. like this show isnt glamorizing suicide, when Hannah slit hr wrist and bled to death alone and was found by her mom, was that glamorous for you? how bout when bryce raped jess and hannah? still too glamorous for you? what bout when mr porter told hannah that she needs to move on, too glamorous or does it sounds too familiar to what you say to your own students?

Brenda

4/27/2017 05:51:48 pm

I watched this show with my 14 year old daughter. I thought it was a good opportunity to have awkward discussions that need to be had and it definitely did open up these topics to us. I am glad that we saw this together and we didn't feel that it glamorized suicide at all. All of these topics are much more real than most people know in the real world. Most of these things are happening in your schools and you are just not aware. I am lucky to have a close relationship with my daughter and she feels safe to confide in me. If chances are that your child is going to watch this series then I think its important that parents sit down and watch it with their child. It is a little uncomfortable but it is so worth it to give your child the correct information on these subjects. I think it opens the parent's eyes that the school counselor and/or teacher may not necessarily the support system that you think they are and you have to be involved in your child's life.

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