Hannah Baker,
Crazy, isn't it? Everyone knows your name now.Your last words are being speculated by a vast majority of the nation and abroad as late of March 31st. The population that had previously been introduced to you through Jay Asher's novel Thirteen Reasons Why had anticipated this day for so long. We, those that have heard your story, have hoped that your story would gain more of a spotlight in hopes of bringing greater attention to mental health and suicide. So I guess you could say we got what we wanted.... However, it was easily forgotten that no matter how clear your story was too many of us, there would still be people who interpreted your story their own way, had their own presumptions, and victim-blaming mindsets.
I'm not going to lie, it hurts a lot. I hurt for you - a fictional, dead girl - because of Hannah, although you ended your life, you are yet brave for sharing your story. I do not blame you for not getting help. From the sounds of it, there was very little help surrounding you, and the attempts you made to get help were dismissed. You just had to move on, right? Wrong.
Hannah, you were never alone. You endured things that many of us have too. In reference to your specific experiences, know this:
1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.
15% of high school students were electronically bullied in the past year.
More than 1 out of every 5 students report being bullied
About 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 14 male victims experienced stalking between the ages of 11 and 17. In total, 7.5 million people were stalked in one year in the U.S.
How much can one person take? There becomes a point where professional help needs to be within reach, because what we witness needs to processed in a healthy way. We must find ways to cope with what we cannot change, forget, or predict.
You endured such heavy, heavy things... bullying, cyberbullying, feeling the burden of your parents' financial hardships, rape, sexual harassment, stalking, witnessing what led to a friend's death in a car accident, and more.
People may have understood if they knew your truth, Hannah. Because no matter how other people interpret your life and what led to the end of your life, every person reacts to different experiences differently. People react to the same experiences differently. No one is to judge you. Absolutely no one.
What your story shares with us, everyone who reads and/or watches "13 Reasons Why" is much more than just one simple lesson.
There must be more mental health resources and support in education systems.
Bystanders need to defend, step up, intervene, report, etc.
Parents, teachers, coaches, etc. must know the warning sides to mental illness and suicide.
You never know what wars an individual is waging in their mind and life.
Every single word and action has an impact.
So think for yourself, other readers and viewers. Ignore the pathetic memes and jokes in reference to the book and show. Some people simply insist on being able to make a joke about anything, especially when a lot of people would catch the reference. However, no matter if you call it sarcasm or satire, it's not funny.
Hannah, as you are at rest from the battles you couldn't face and fight alone no longer, I hope you know that your life and death have impacted thousands of people. You have opened up conversation on topics that need more attention. Although not soon enough or to a professional, you shared your story.
I wish someone... anyone... would have done something differently.
You'll Always Matter,
someone who has shared their own story because you have
