It is important to us to keep you informed when our children are exposed to powerful messages in the media. When the messages can have harmful results, we want to share our concern. We did so when the first season of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why debuted.
Season 2 is now available for viewing. It is expected to be as intense and virally popular with adolescents as season 1, which many watched without adult knowledge or presence. It was one of the most popular series last year for teens and adolescents, and the second season is no doubt highly anticipated by many. In addition, many new viewers will watch the first season now, due to the publicity surrounding the new release. Like the opening season, the current one
deals with mature themes including suicide, date rape, bullying and harassment, alcohol and drug use, and extreme violence. The intense, graphic portrayal of these difficult issues involving youth present both the risk of triggering harmful behaviors among some vulnerable youth and the opportunity for adults to engage in meaningful and supportive discussions with youth about these issues.
Common Sense Media rates this program as suitable only for children over age 16, although we know many younger adolescents watched the show without their parents' knowledge when it was released last year. We encourage you to talk with your children about the show and, if they are going to watch it, to do so with them. While Netflix has added more safeguards to the series, these are not a substitute for adult involvement. A consortium of education and mental health organizations has created an online toolkit with guidance, talking points and other resources specific to the series and issues portrayed:
The following guidance for families from the National Association of School Psychologists also may help you support your children:
- Ask your children if they have heard of or have seen the series 13 Reasons Why. While we don't recommend that they be encouraged to view the series, do tell them you want to watch it with them or to catch up -- if they are watching it -- and discuss their thoughts.
- Be willing and prepared to engage in conversations about these issues with your children, including asking if they have witnessed or experienced any of the circumstances portrayed, what their thoughts and feelings are, and how they think adults could help.
- Listen to your children's comments without judgment. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.
- If they exhibit any of the warning signs below, don't be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help.
- Ask your children if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any of the warning signs.
- Get help from a school-employed or community-based mental health professional if you are concerned for your child's safety or the safety of one of their peers.
Some of the warning signs that an individual, even a child, is in emotional distress or thinking about suicide are:
- Direct ("I am going to kill myself") or indirect ("I wish things would stop") threats of suicide, both verbal and in writing. Many of these threats are made online or using social media.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Dramatic change in eating or sleeping habits (either too much or too little).
- Withdrawal and isolation from friends and family.
- Changes in behavior, appearance, hygiene, thoughts or feelings. A person who typically is sad and suddenly is very happy or at ease is a warning sign.
All warning signs should be taken seriously.
The following community supports are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and always are available for consultation if you are concerned about your children: Franklin County Psychiatric Crisis Line (614-722-1800) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255).
We hope this information provides an opportunity to remind your child about the importance of seeking support from you and from other caring adults in their lives when they are feeling overwhelmed. As always, please feel free to contact our counselors for questions or concerns. You may contact
Shekyra Decree
(US),
Suzanne Ritter
(MS) or
Shaun Ditty
(LS).Thank you for partnering with us as we
support the social-emotional health and wellbeing of our students.
