Within the last year, Netflix has put out two seasons of 13 Reasons Why, a show based on Jay Asher's award winning novel. Both the TV series and the novel tell the story of high schooler Hannah Baker's suicide from Hannah's point of view, showing how she believed others led her down the path of committing suicide. I read this book when I was in high school, and when I heard that producers were planning to make it into a movie, I was both excited and nervous for the outcome of this project.
As someone who has struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide in the past, after reading the book I found myself falling back into old habits. I was sadder than usual, and felt as though maybe Hannah's path ought to have been mine too. However, a few weeks after completing the book I was fine without the influence of the book looming over me.
All this being said, when the TV series came out, I was excited to watch as one of my favorite books was brought to life. I was interested to see how producers would give life to a story that had meant so much to me. However, after watching the show, I once again found myself falling into the same funk that reading the book had triggered in me years prior. I continued watching the show for the sake of seeing how producers did justice to the novel, but in reality, I really should not have been watching this show.
For me, watching Hannah struggle in such a way that it caused her to feel as though she needed to take her own life was very difficult, and it brought me back to a time when I felt the same way. So, in light of the second season coming out, here are 13 reasons why not to take the same steps Hannah did, and to ignore the influence the show might have on you.
1. You are not the only one you're hurting
2. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God has a bigger plan for you
3. Things can't get worse than they are right now, you can only get better from here
4. No matter what you're going through, you are not alone
5. There is always someone who will be willing to listen to and help you through what you're going through
6. No one is perfect, you will get through this
7. Tomorrow could be the best day of your life, but you'll never know unless you wake up for it
8. Don't let your mental disorder define or control you
9. Every day is a new beginning, and a chance to start anew
10. You have so much yet to see and so much yet to do
11. There are so many sunsets you have yet to admire
12. God isn't finished with you yet
13. He hasn't abandoned you, and He didn't bring you this far to leave you
If you or anyone you know are considering harming yourself in any way or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
No matter how hard things are in this moment, you are not alone. I promise, things will get better. Hannah's story had a tragic end, but her ending doesn't have to be yours.
