Donate Apply

13 Reasons Why: Dangerous sensationalism or opening up the suicide conversation? Examining young people’s perspectives of the Netflix Series 13 Reasons Why.

Research topic

13 Reasons Why: Dangerous sensationalism or opening up the suicide conversation? Examining young people's perspectives.

Could you share a summary of your research project and what inspired you to pursue it?
This research explored the experiences and perspectives of 25 young people who had viewed the fictional Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. This research was initiated following the 2017 release of the controversial Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, which targeted a teenage audience and depicted the suicide of its young female protagonist. The series quickly gained global attention, sparking intense public and social media debate worldwide, including in New Zealand, about the potential risks of exposing adolescents to graphic portrayals of suicide. That same year, a UNICEF report highlighted New Zealand as having one the highest youth suicide rates among developed countries. The resulting media coverage sparked debates about whether discussing suicide with young people was appropriate. This project was driven by the absence of young people’s voices in public discussions about youth suicide in New Zealand and the limited research evidence globally on the potential harms or benefits of fictional portrayals of youth suicide. The release of the popular Netflix series, alongside the surrounding media debate, offered a unique opportunity to explore youth perspectives on this critical issue.

How did the Foundation support your research?
The Foundation’s targeted suicide prevention funding in 2017 was instrumental in supporting our qualitative research project. This funding allowed us to collaborate with local youth organisations, recruit 25 young people aged 13 – 18, and carry out and transcribe in-depth interviews.

Were there any unique or surprising findings in your research?
Our study was among the first qualitative investigations into young people’s perspectives on the impact of 13 Reasons Why. A notable finding was that, although some critics praised the series for addressing complex socio-cultural issues such as rape culture, misogyny and sexual harassment in high schools, this interpretation was not shared by the youth we interviewed. Most participants did not recognise the social factors contributing to suicide, instead aligning with common assumptions that suicide is primarily linked to mental illness. A major critique from participants was that the protagonist was not convincingly portrayed as depressed, as she lacked the ‘warning signs’ often associated with someone experiencing depression. Our findings point to the importance of educating people about the social roots of suicide and shifting the focus from solely individual mental health struggles to the broader societal factors that contribute to suicidal behaviour.

How has this project contributed to the field, or impacted the wider community?
The findings were published in an international suicide prevention journal, providing valuable insights for clinicians, counsellors and professionals working in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Upon release, the key study findings garnered substantial media coverage, emphasising the importance of including young people’s voices into the conversation on youth suicide in New Zealand.

How would you describe the significance of support from Whau Mental Health Research Foundation for researchers in mental health?
Suicide research remains significantly underfunded in New Zealand so I would like to acknowledge the Foundation’s support for researchers working in the areas of suicide prevention.

Have there been any specific end users or groups who have directly benefited from your research findings?
Many of the young people who took part in this research shared that the interviews gave them a chance to openly discuss the show in ways they hadn’t been able to with parents or teachers. This highlights the need for guidance to help adults foster healthy conversations with young people about how suicide is portrayed in television, movies and media.

Links to media coverage on this project:

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/teens-shocked-by-suicide-portrayal-in-13-reasons-why-study-finds

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/13-reasons-why-otago-university-study-finds-teens-shocked-by-suicide-portrayal/ILANE3FG6L4HUYREFHCWUEKUYE

https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/teens-shocked-suicide-portrayal-13-reasons-why-study-finds

https://www.inkl.com/news/13-reasons-why-otago-university-study-finds-teens-shocked-by-suicide-portrayal

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-teens-suicide-portrayal.html