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Burns Lake schools warned about ‘13 Reasons Why’

The Netflix series follows the story of a student who dies by suicide
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Mental health organizations and school boards across the country have raised concerns about the controversial Netflix series '13 Reasons Why.’

School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) has sent out an alert to every school principal in the region warning them about the Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why.’

Mental health organizations and school boards across the country have raised concerns about the controversial series, which follows the story of a young girl who dies by suicide.

The alert sent out by the school district was issued by the Ministry of Education’s safe school division.

“We are receiving numerous calls with questions and concerns regarding the trending Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why,’ specifically regarding its use as a suicide prevention educational resource,” says the alert. “Our primary concern regarding the use of this series as an educational resource is around the potential impact on youth who are vulnerable or are currently struggling with suicidal ideation.”

According to Mike Skinner, School District 91’s director of instruction, principals are expected to share the alert with their staff members and contact him if any teachers plan to use the Netflix series in their classroom.

“I have not had any contact from school staff saying they want to use series,” said Skinner. “We are not aware that this series has been shown anywhere in School District 91.”

The alert issued by the safe school division warns schools that the overall content of the Netflix series is “very heavy,” including the graphic depiction of a suicide death.

“While we are not aware of a single case where a student has said exposure to this documentary has lowered their risk [of committing suicide], we do know of multiple cases where it has increased their risk,” says the alert. “In some communities, we are also already seeing imitator behaviour involving increased levels of suicidal ideation and individuals making their own version of justification tapes.”

According to the Centre for Suicide Prevention (CSP), a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, the dramatic portrayal of a suicide death glamourizes suicide, and may trigger those who are already struggling with suicidal thoughts.

“Suicide is not glamorous,” said the CSP in a press release. “It is an act carried out in complete and utter desperation as a result of acute suffering.”

The CSP is concerned that the Netflix adaptation of Jay Asher’s novel does not follow the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention’s media guidelines.

“Though suicide contagion is rare, it does happen, and especially in instances where suicide is not dealt with in a sensitive, responsible manner, as is set out by the media guidelines.”