Why we need to talk about 13 Reasons Why
Wow. I just finished watching 13 reasons why on Netflix which is based on the book written by Jay Asher. I read the book back in 2013 and was floored by how exceptional it was. So, when I found out Netflix was bringing it to life in movie form, I knew it was on the top of my list to watch immediately.
I know there are a lot of opinions about this series and whether or not it glamorizes suicide and it not bringing to light mental health issues. However, that was not my take away after watching. I think every parent and teen need to watch this series. I must say, this series was so good my husband and I watched three episodes a night as this story draws you in from the first episode. My husband didn’t read the book, and he was hooked after the first episode as well. This is the story of a high school girl who decides to end her life, I’m pleased this particular book was made into a movie series, as this is a story that needs to be told. Mental illness, rape culture and suicide is something that has become all too familiar and I believe it’s always necessary to bring awareness to issues that, either we have struggled with or someone that we know my have struggled with. I agree that mental illness should have been brought to the forefront, my hope is that the second season will touch on this. The series provides a very real and dark reality into a lot of what teens are going through in high school and how cruel and fucked up kids can be to one another. At this age, I contemplate if teens fully understand what mental illness is and where to turn for guidance. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens and that roughly 16 percent reported seriously considering suicide. This statistic is unsettling and quite alarming if you ask me and the stats on rape are even worse, according to TeenHelp.com roughly 44 percent of rape victims are below the age of 18 and almost 92 percent of all teen rape victims know their attackers. Our children are being raped, bullied, slut shamed, contemplate suicide and feel so hopeless they go through with the act should not be the norm, but sadly it is. I know for many people the subject of suicide, mental health and rape are taboo subjects and we would rather not discuss this reality, however it just might be the conversation that needs to be had. This series has created a conversation around these tough issues and we all may not agree, that is clear with the backlash this movie has received. I still view this as a win, because we are at the very least talking about it. I dislike how this country always tends to shy away from the heavy conversations and want to sweep shit under the rug, these stats don’t lie, as parents, educators, friends, family we must wake-up and pay attention to what is going on with our children and ask the tough questions, talk and simply be there for our children so they do not become another statistic.
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