YOUNG people and their parents have been encouraged to be safe and informed before watching the second season of 13 Reasons Why.
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Due to the global impact and difficult themes depicted in the first series, headspace – the National Youth Mental Health Foundation – is encouraging young people and their parents to be safe and informed before watching the show.
Jason Trethowan, headspace’s chief executive, said the show depicts difficult themes including suicide, sexual assault, substance abuse and bullying.
He said the show had bought these topics into mainstream discussions.
“Television shows can provide parents and schools the opportunity to have conversations with young people about important issues which is great, however, there is the potential for these conversations to do more harm than good,” Mr Trethowan said.
“Our aim is to ensure young people, parents and schools are supported and equipped to have constructive conversations about the themes that are depicted in the show.”
headspace clinical practice head Vikki Ryall said another key aim was to support young people who may be distressed by the show’s content.
“The likelihood that the content will be distressing or triggering for some viewers will depend on their individual life experiences and current circumstances,” Ms Ryall said.
“No two people will take exactly the same meaning or understanding out of the same episode.
“By providing young people with tips on how to watch the show safely and ensuring they know how to seek help we can ensure distressed viewers can be supported.”
Three tailored resources have been created.
The resource for young people will provide tips on how to safely watch the show, how young people can look after themselves, and how to have helpful conversations with their friends and families.
The resources for parents and schools will provide information on how to have safe conversations about the show and how to respond to each of the difficult and tough themes appropriately.
Netflix have included warnings and help-seeking information before, and at the end, of each episode for this upcoming season of the show.
There is also a designated webpage – accessed via www.13reasonswhy.info – where the resources will be housed along with a set of videos from the cast addressing issues depicted in the show, and detailed help seeking information for young people.
- If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Help Line on 1800 55 18 00; in a case of emergency, phone 000.