Lake Washington SD Reacts To Controversial '13 Reasons Why' Netflix Series

REDMOND, WA - The Lake Washington School district has released a statement about the controversial Netflix series "Thirteen Reasons Why." The show tells the story of a teenager who commits suicide, with each episode exploring a different reason why she chose to end her life. The show, based on a book by Jay Asher, has created an uproar since its premiere. Some public school districts have either wholly or temporarily banned the book, others have urged parents to be cautious about letting teens and children watch the Netflix series. Aside from suicide, the show explores issues like bullying and rape.

"13 Reasons Why" debuted on Netflix on March 31 and has so far been a hit. The show will return for a second season in 2018, although Netflix has added an additional warning about the content before the first episode.

Here's the Lake Washington School District's full statement on the show:

Recently, we have become aware of students discussing a new Netflix series called Thirteen Reasons Why. It is based on a popular novel by the same name. The show deals with graphic and sensitive issues including suicide, self-harm, rape and bullying.

Given both the popularity and sensitive nature of the show we wanted to share resources with you as well as to share the supports in place at LWSD schools. Several organizations have put together helpful information for parents.

• Common Sense Media rates the series for ages 16+ and their review provides parents with more detailed information on the series along with guiding questions to discuss when watching the show.
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) and the JED Foundation have created talking points for conversations with youth specific to the 13 Reasons Why series, available online.
• Forefront, a collaborative effort of schools at the University of Washington to prevent suicide, has released a statement in response to the show.

The National Association of School Psychologists state, “research shows that exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be one of the many risk factors that youth struggling with mental health conditions cite as a reason they contemplate or attempt suicide.” The organization has provided the following guidance for educators and families:

1. If they exhibit any of the warning signs above, 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.
2. Ask your child 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Each school in the Lake Washington School District has a suicide prevention plan and all counselors have participated in suicide prevention training. Additionally, the district has partnerships in place to help students at risk in conducting risk assessments and in accessing mental health professionals. If you have concerns about your child or another student please do not hesitate to contact their school counselor or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Teen suicide is an important topic of discussion and while the show may not always portray the best practices of suicide prevention, it does present us with an opportunity to engage youth in conversations and help students at-risk get access to support and care.

Image via Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP