“13 Reasons Why” Review

If you haven’t watched this yet, please do. It is on Netflix and it is 13 episodes long. Sadly, it is a hard to watch series. But it is necessary. “13 Reasons Why” is about a girl who has committed suicide and the cast of teenagers who are listening to the tapes she left behind, where she explains why she felt she had to do it.

I WOULD WARN YOU NOT TO WATCH THIS IF YOU ARE HEAVILY DEPRESSED, SELF-HARM OR ARE SUICIDAL. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE IGNORANT TO THE REALITY AND AFFECTS OF THESE THEMES, THEN THE SHOW IS A MUST WATCH FOR YOU.

I won’t give any spoilers, but I do urge you to watch it. There are trigger warnings on the show and I give one now, too. Critics worry that the show may “glorify” suicide. I didn’t feel that it did, but like I say above, it depends on the individual and I do warn vulnerable people to perhaps skip it. It was very real, emotional and as I said, hard to watch. Purely by the impact of Hannah Baker’s death, one would think this show was finally showing what we all need to see, and also showing those contemplating such things that there are people who love you, people who care, help available and that suicide should never be an option.

So in short, here is 13 thoughts about/reasons why I appreciated the show:

It made me angry at people. We are dicks to each other way too much and way too easily.
Made me angry that it is only just now that people are starting to take these themes seriously (although of course, I am grateful that it is finally happening).
It truly solidified my thoughts. If someone is hurting, it matters. Simple. It doesn’t matter if you think they’re “weak”. It doesn’t matter if they’re ill or not, or you’ve felt the same or not. If someone is hurting, that matters and we should take it seriously.
Showed that all people need to do is care. Just show someone that you care. Even if it’s just asking about their day or giving a compliment or a smile. It can save lives.
Don’t pass something off as normal or teenage drama or a kid being silly. As I said, their pain matters. By not believing them or hearing them out, you are only proving to them that no one cares.
One mean comment or act is enough. When that one comment from you is met by many other “one comment”s, they become a big problem.
Peer pressure is ever so real and ever so dangerous.
Schools just don’t do enough, I’m sorry but they don’t. And why when someone reaches out to an authority figure, they are quizzed and questioned and told to name names in order for anything to be done? Something awful happened, that’s enough for you to make a move. Period.
Mental Health Awareness needs to be taught, practised and talked about regularly in schools, offices, public places, just everywhere.
No one can say Hannah didn’t try to have a good life. She tried to live. She was a good person who had bad things happen to her too often, and with little help or balance in her life. At such a young age, that is damaging, never mind the horrific things she witnessed which would scar anyone for life.
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT.
You never know what’s going on inside someone’s life. Ask. Care. Or just keep to yourself but don’t you dare take it upon yourself to hurt that person or interfere with their life. Otherwise, ask yourself who the hell you are.
We can never truly understand the thoughts of a suicidal person. We can speak to suicidal people but those who actually go through with it, aren’t around anymore to tell their story. Don’t judge. We can’t possibly understand. Instead just keep an eye out for the signs and reach out if you feel these things for yourself.

Again, watch this show. Please. This review is over-simplistic and I’ve only just finished it so I’m still processing all that I saw. I’m so proud of the world for making this a popular show and sharing it and talking about.

Hopefully, from here on people will start to make changes for the better. Together we can save lives and live better.

My thoughts go out to any victims of suicide.

I WOULD WARN YOU NOT TO WATCH THIS IF YOU ARE HEAVILY DEPRESSED, SELF-HARM OR ARE SUICIDAL. HOWEVER IF YOU ARE IGNORANT TO THE REALITY AND AFFECTS OF THESE THEMES, THEN THE SHOW IS A MUST WATCH FOR YOU.