I felt uncomfortable watching 13 Reasons Why. The premise of a troubled girl seeking retribution on bullies by killing herself and forcing them to confront their behaviour, is a dangerous idea to float to teens who might be struggling with similar issues and similar bullies.
Her tapes give her a voice that in reality, suicide takes away.
Ending such a series with a graphic suicide scene also felt deeply irresponsible.
The horrors Hannah has experienced build up to the image of her lifeless body in a blood-filled bath with a sense of inevitability, which is an ill-judged message.
Viewers are made aware in episode one that she will take her own life, and showing the act itself goes against widespread suicide prevention guidelines.
Mum's warning over Netflix show 13 Reasons Why after daughter, 12, killed herself
This series covered a number of complex issues that young people deserve to see explored, but TV producers have a duty, especially when targeting teens, to treat this subject with caution.
To risk glamorising it or inviting copycats is reckless and immoral.
