No, I haven’t seen “13 Reasons Why” yet, but if it pays any tribute to the book, this show’s going to be important.
Set to be released March 31 of this year, the series is based off of Jay Asher’s young-adult fiction novel, Thirteen Reasons Why (2007). As a college student, I’m aware that most of you don’t have the time or energy to tackle a novel, although I highly recommend you do, but this series is the next best thing.
I won’t leak any major spoilers, but the story follows high-school student Clay Jensen, who receives a mysterious package containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by classmate Hannah Baker, who recently committed suicide. Each tape focuses on a single individual, and each is a reason she chose to end her life. Will Clay be a reason? Watch (or read) to find out.
The focus of this tenth-anniversary series is teen suicide, and it sends an important message. You don’t know what those around you are dealing with. With suicide being the third-leading cause of death for individuals 15 to 24, it’s important for viewers, specifically young people, to understand the signs, so they can do what they can to prevent it.
Suicide is preventable. With teens and adolescents, there’s often a stigma that a person threatening suicide is doing it for attention. This is a person’s life. Are you willing to take the chance on assuming they’re seeking attention? Treat every threat, and every attempt, with gravity.
Growing up is hard, and people hurt each other, both physically and mentally. Take it seriously. You never know a person’s story until you’ve walked in their shoes. Be mindful of your friends and classmates’ behaviors. Has their personality altered? Has their appetite changed? Do they have low self-esteem? Do they ever mention dying—even jokingly?
Hannah Baker says, “A lot of you cared, just not enough.” You don’t have to call the police the second you suspect something, but talk to them. Sometimes, they just need a friend. Be that friend, and be there for them. If you feel like you can’t offer the support they need, talk to family or a school counselor. Do something before it’s too late.
Hannah Baker had thirteen reasons why she committed suicide. What if someone had noticed her behaviors and talked to her? Suicide is often caused by emotional pain and feelings of alienation. These dark feelings build up over time before they’re unbearable. Look for the warning signs. As Jay Asher says, “No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people.”
Check out “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix, or pick up the book at Barnes and Noble.
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