Preventing Youth Suicide

Parents may just recently be aware of the recent Netflix Series, 13 Reasons Why, based on a young adult novel of the same name. The series revolves around a 17-year-old who takes her own life and leaves behind audio recordings for 13 people who she says in some way were part of why she killed herself. The series, which many teens are binge watching without adult guidance and support, is raising concerns from suicide prevention experts about the potential risks posed by the sensationalized treatment of youth suicide. The series graphically depicts a suicide death & addresses in wrenching detail a number of difficult topics, such as bullying, rape, drunk driving, and slut shaming.

Dr. Johnson has been having conversations with many of her teen patients about this series and is growing increasingly concerned with its glorification. As a practice that completely supports Behavioral Health, we feel it is extremely important to help guide families and teens related to this online series.

Including conversations that we want you and/or your children to have with us, we have provided links to very helpful information from the National Association of School Psychologists that addresses the series with considerations for educators, health care professionals & parents; tips for parents, educators & health professionals on preventing youth suicide; and Tips for Teens to “Save a Friend”.

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/save-a-friend-tips-for-teens-to-prevent-suicide

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/preventing-youth-suicide-tips-for-parents-and-educators