From the minute this series launched on Netflix, it was almost like an instant addiction for people to watch it and get addicted to it. Some book lovers already had past knowledge on what they were getting themselves into when they started the series, but others simply clicked on it with no background information. Either way, it is interesting to see both sides of the spectrum because this series brings up issues that are very important in a high school student’s life.

Some people have criticized this series because they simply did not have the heart to watch this series and that is completely okay. But, for those that have watched the series then you understand how important these issues are to discuss.

1. You truly never understand how words can effect someone’s life

If you have survived high school (or even middle school) then you can understand how often mean words go around school like gossip. At the time, some may not understand how much they are hurting the people that are the victims of these harsh jokes or rumors. No one can truly understand what it is like to live in the life of another person, but themselves. Just because the people creating these rumors or say these mean words are in a happy state or can tolerate the rumors does not mean that another person can. Hannah Baker was the victim of rumors and bullying, but the people making the jokes had no consideration on how it was effecting her. They lived their own lives and forgot about the joke, while Hannah took it as far as putting it in a tape as to why she took her own life. Take into consideration anything rude or hurtful you are about to say about someone because words HURT and are not forgotten easily.

2. These tapes did not seem so out of the ordinary

It’s sad to think about how most of the circumstances Hannah spoke about in her tapes are not so uncommon. The acts of bullying, loneliness, or even sexual assault does not seem so out of the ordinary for a high school student. Maybe it did not reach the caliber that the show displayed, but I found myself thinking that this was not so uncommon. There were situations, in my own high school, that could have led someone to take their own life if it piled up on them. We shouldn’t be living in a world that these problems seem okay or even normal, when they are clearly not. Be the change and don’t allow yourself to fall into the “normal” trap of high school jokes or acts.

3. The effect is indescribably painful

Most of us have gone through some sort of death, whether it be a friend or family member, and we understand how much losing someone hurts. But, what if the person you cared about actually took their own life and you could’ve helped them? Usually in shows, after a person takes their own life, the viewer doesn’t really see what happens next. Hannah’s parents completely lost themselves after the death of their daughter and it is painful to watch. In scenes when Hannah was alive, you could see how dressed up and happy the parents were. They almost seem like completely different characters as the show progresses. Clay even started losing part of himself as he got further in the tapes and realized that she is truly gone and he could’ve done something to stop her. The person that is gone doesn’t feel the pain that the people they leave behind feel and that is an aspect that most people in depressed states don’t think about as much. You are important and loved in this world, so don’t let the people that care about you endlessly suffer losing you over situations that will get better. You will graduate from middle school, high school, or even college and those people would be part of your past, so don’t let them affect your future. Just think about it, the only time Hannah’s mom truly felt any happiness was when she pretended that Hannah was alive and spoke about her during dinner to a stranger.

4. Don’t be afraid to speak up

I understand that if a person is even thinking about suicide then none of these words will truly help them. If there’s one thing that this show should teach you is that Hannah had people around her that could have helped her out of the rut she was in. Clay was on those tapes, but he did not contribute to why she took her own life, in fact he could’ve been her saving grace. Whatever situation you are in, I know it may not seem like it will get better, but it will. Think about everything you want to accomplish or the family you want to create one day. None of the people that hurt you now will even matter in a few years and they should not be the reason why you cut your only chance at life short. Speak to a family member or friends that you truly trust or if that idea scared you, then try speaking to a therapist. They will show you that you are important and worth every second.

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to about suicide or a crisis they are in, don’t be shy to dial 1-800-273-8255