If you’ve never watched ’13 Reasons Why’ on Netflix, DON’T! The new series is a problematic attempt to create a narrative about suicide and depression.

I find it really sad that in our generation the way that topics are brought up are in our digital life. Instead of talking to one another about our problems we find the need to turn to a television show to understand the complexity of human life. It’s disturbing to me that the way that suicide becomes a common topic is not when we are affected by it, but when it comes up in a popular new television drama. It frightens me that this show has not created a narrative that creates a different stigma around suicide. Instead this show seems to be mocking the seriousness of it.

It is sickening to go on a social media account, such as Twitter, and see tweets mocking the story of Hannah Baker. I’ve seen tweets like “Hannah: orders Pepsi. Waiter: Is Coke ok? Hannah: this is your tape.” And while I understand that it seems like the little things that she is talking about in the tapes seems small in the scheme of life, little things such as snubs by friends really can add up to create serious issues within a person. Instead of focusing on how easily someone can affect someone else’s life many of the viewers of the show seem unable to pick up on the seriousness of the message of the show. It is not about Hannah Baker and her seemingly silly problems such as everyone seeing her underwear, but instead it attempts to help us view how hurtful things can be. It tries to teach us that people need to be kind. And yet many people seem unable to pick up the magnitude of this lesson. So please, if you watch Netflix’s ’13 Reasons Why’, do not pick up on the little things, but take away the fragility of human life.

And also if you are ever feeling like Hannah Baker, there are many different sources that one can use to help. Contact your friends, tell your parents, pet your dog, just breathe, this is your life, do not make your life a period, make it a semi colon. Pause at this darkness in your life, and then move on, I know it is hard, but a period is not the answer.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours everyday and can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.

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By Lilliana McHale

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