'13 Reasons Why' is problematic for Iowa suicide prevention professionals

After Netflix released "13 Reasons Why," the show instantly produced record internet buzz. Increasing the visibility of suicide is important and, when done correctly, makes a difference. The show, with its millions of viewers, had potential to bring suicide prevention into public consciousness, bringing about positive change. Instead, the show produced a negative effect.

I do not support censorship, but I do support media owning its responsibility to help suicide prevention advocates like The Crisis Center provide a coherent message for people who are thinking about suicide. We teach. We reach out. We try to support people. But despite what may appear to be a fresh opportunity to spread awareness, I am concerned with our ability to meet the demand created by this one show.

At a sociology conference I attended in April, the show came up at almost every session. The show’s damaging message affects Iowans, too. The Crisis Center answered calls from schools and student groups concerned by the effects they saw in their youth. We presented information about suicide to kids, teens, teachers and advisers in a frank, non-sensationalized way.

Since "13 Reasons Why" became available on Netflix, searches for “How to commit suicide” increased by 26 percent, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. This finding scares me. After watching their highly problematic depiction, viewers receive no information about where they can turn to continue the conversation. And despite 13 episodes, some of the most important questions about suicide remain unanswered. What is the right way to talk about suicide? What are the warning signs? What can the public do to prevent the thousands of other suicides that will happen in America in 2017?

The Crisis Center is here to help you answer some of those questions. No matter where you live, our trained, non-judgmental staff is here to help, by phone at 855-325-4296 or chat at iowacrisischat.org.

BEAU PINKHAM is the director of Crisis Intervention Services at The Crisis Center