Oakland County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 05/16/2018 02:17 PM EDT
The second season
of the Netflix original series “13 Reasons Why”, based on a popular novel of
the same name, will be released on Friday, May 18.
The first season,
which was popular among adolescents, raised significant concerns for parents,
educators, and mental health professionals because of its dramatic and graphic
portrayal of difficult issues such as sexual assault and suicide. The Journal of American Medical
Association Internal Medicine study found that internet
searches related to suicide were 19% higher in the 19 days following the
series release.
Season 2 will tell
the story of the characters' attempts to return to a normal life following
the suicide of their peer. It will also center around a story of rape that
occurred in Season 1 and cover other sensitive subject matters such as
sexual abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and bullying.
Due to the popularity
and the subject matter of the series, the Oakland County Youth Suicide
Prevention Task Force is providing the information below to assist parents in
conversations with their children about these serious and sensitive topics. It
is important for adults to be aware of what youth are watching. This includes
monitoring access to content and viewed content via computers and mobile
devices. It is suggested that:
- Parents/caregivers view the seriesfirst if possible. - If you consider the series suitable for your
children, watch it withthem.
Please note, the series is not recommended for vulnerable
youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, per the National
Association of School Psychologists.
- Create a safe, judgment-free zone when talking
about the series and the subject matter.
Use
the “13
Reasons Why” Discussion Guide created by Netflix to help guide conversation
about sensitive topics related to the series.
Access
resources
created by the Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention TaskForce, including a Parent Toolkit and
Suicide Warning SignsFlyer.
- Reachoutforhelpifyoufeelyouand/oryourchildneedsit. Call or text the Common
Ground Resource and Crisis Helpline at 1-800-231-1127 or chat online 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week at www.commongroundhelps.org.
Encourage your
child to understand the "13 Reasons
WHY NOT" (below) created by Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy
Communities, a Task Force member agency.