When Netflix released 13 Reasons Why, it seemed like everyone had an opinion about it. Some loved it, some hated it. What was undeniable was that it sparked some serious controversy.

Many of the negative reviews (including reviews by Mark Henick of CNN and Daniel D’Addario of Time Magazine) asserted that the show was glamorizing suicide. After reading some of these reviews and hearing about the show from my friends, I decided to see for myself. I binge watched all thirteen episodes in a week, and I found myself agreeing much more with the positive reviews than the negative ones. I personally loved the rawness and relatability of the show. It actually addressed real issues that affect teenagers everyday.

Now, I do understand where the outrage is coming from. I know it is very uncommon for a show to focus so specifically on such a grim issue. But to be completely honest, suicide is something that needs to be talked about. The show does not glamorize suicide; it tries to show the long-term effects of it. Hannah (Katherine Langford)’s suicide takes its toll on all the characters. Whether it’s her parents, her classmate Clay (Dylan Minnette), or even someone she barely knew, this series allows its viewers to understand the immense effect suicide can have on a community.

There are many who feel that people should not watch this show, as they feel it encourages suicide. While I understand this concern, I feel the show can be a way for people to see that they are not alone. The series spreads awareness and conveys realistic scenes that are relatable to many viewers.

One criticism that I very outwardly disagree with is the assessment that there are no trigger warnings about the topics discussed and shown throughout the show. This is not true. The producers made sure to give a disclaimer before particularly graphic episodes, explaining that the episode contains scenes that viewers may find disturbing. For example in episode 12, a disclaimer is ran before the show begins. This makes sure that those who do not want to be exposed to sexual assault are aware of what they are about to see.

One thing that cemented my appreciation for this show was the outreach of the cast and crew. Many of them have posted videos on social media talking about the importance of reaching out for help before you get to the point where it’s too late. For example, Netflix released a 30 minute episode called 13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons where the cast, producers, and mental health professionals discussed scenes dealing with difficult issues, such as bullying, depression, and sexual assault. That is what is special about this show. The cast conveys a sense of realness. They took it upon themselves to help others who may be going through similar circumstances.

The cast does not just excel on social media, though. They are excellent in the show itself. I loved how connected I felt to the actors. Most of them were relatively unknown before this show. Alisha Boe, who plays Jessica, stood out to me the most. Her acting adds a bit of raw vulnerability to the show without making her seem like solely a victim. It’s not just Boe, however. None of the characters are one dimensional. They all show the different sides to their characters, adding so much more depth to the show.

In the novel version of 13 Reasons Why, Hannah Baker said, “You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life.” Personally, I learned a lot from watching this show. It showed me how much my words and actions can affect others around me.

Yes, 13 Reasons Why is controversial. Yes, it discusses some very heavy subject matter. But you should still watch it, because it will teach you what effect your actions can truly have.

It is no surprise that a show as graphic as 13 Reasons Why has sparked endless conversation. The suicide story of the main character, Hannah Baker, has become a topic at every high school lunch table. Like most topics talked about in high school gossip, it always ends up hurting someone. With a subject this serious, 13 Reasons Why can even be dangerous.

While some may argue that this finally brings awareness to a subject usually swept under the rug, the reality is that there is a difference between spreading awareness and exacerbating an issue. Journalist Debra Ruder, in her 2008 article in Harvard Magazine, states that “young brains have both fast-growing synapses and sections that remain unconnected. This leaves teens easily influenced by their environment and more prone to impulsive behavior.” It is because of the underdeveloped nature of the teen brain that a topic as sensitive as suicide has the potential to trigger more teen suicides. This classic example of the Domino Effect is why a show like this is dangerous. This is not to say that the pure cause of a suicide is a Netflix show, and as we know from watching the show, the cause is bullying.

Right?

The common takeaway from the show is to be kinder to others because you never know what someone is going through; the show even goes out of its way to prove this, with the main conflict Hannah faces being bullying. This comes as almost a slap in the face to those who have faced suicidal thoughts, since to many bullying can be a minor piece of a major mental illness that challenges those who are suicidal. Mental illnesses that cause someone to take their own life, such as depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, and many others, are not even touched on in the series. I believe that if a show is about a suicide, it should portray both the physical events and emotional damage leading up to it. Anyone who has struggled with suicidal thoughts will tell you that the show is a very inaccurate and apathetic illustration of self destruction.

Likewise, the self harm in the show is depicted in an incredibly inconsiderate light. The character Skye that suffers from cutting, a form of self harm, argues that “[Cutting] is what you do instead of killing yourself.” After this comment, nothing more is said about the topic of cutting. To add, they make Skye the most outcasted, “punk” character on the show, heavily enforcing that anyone who self harms is “emo.” This stereotype is already one that many people who self-harm face, as many who cut are not the “emo” people displayed in 13 Reasons Why. In reality, cutting is not simply what people do instead of killing themselves. Most times, those who self-harm have far more complex reasons for doing so, such as taking all the emotional pain and making it physical, or the sheer addictive nature of cutting. The one sided, inaccurate view of this practice is harmful in the sense that more bullying towards those who self harm is likely to emerge.

Overall, the series is painfully incorrect and only touches the surface of deep issues such as self harm and mental illness.