Netflix Show Prompts Message From TESD Officials

BERWYN, PA – Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' tackles issues like teen suicide, depression, and bullying, but all students may not be benefiting from the show, according to officials in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District.

The show, which tells the story of a 17-year-old girl who leaves behind audio recordings describing why she decided to commit suicide.

"This is a topic T/E takes very seriously. In an effort to proactively support the mental health of students, the District provides education about mental health and suicide prevention to our middle school and high school students during Health classes," the district said in a letter to families. "The Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program (SOS) is embedded into the 7th and 9th grade health curriculum. This is an evidence-based program that teaches students about depression awareness, suicide prevention and help-seeking behavior."

The SOS program includes:

• To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness and help them assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression
• To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression
• To provide students training in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend
• To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.

Student reaction to the show prompted West Chester School District to issue a statement to families.

With suicide being the third-leading cause of death among ages 10 to 24, many mental health experts are concerned with the show's content. Those outside the expert community have also raised concerns about the show. A recent Rolling Stone opinion piece said the show could glamorize teen suicide and does not paint an accurate picture of the tragedy.

"Dead is dead, and as much as it may be hard to portray that on screen, 13 Reasons Why fails to end the last episode with closure," wrote Alexa Curtis of the Rolling Stone. "For teens who are battling mental health issues, witnessing the end of a life as easily as the show portrayed it could help desensitize kids to this very serious matter."

The district said it is not planning any specific in-class programming regarding the series.

The National Association of School Psychologists has compiled information on the series for both parents and educators which is available online here.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Joe Lipovich

Image via Youtube screenshot