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Mental Health Experts Concerned Over Netflix's '13 Reasons Why'

时间:2017-05-06 23:57:57

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It is painful and difficult television to watch.

The suicide1 of Hannah Baker2, the main character in Netflix’s popular show “13 Reasons Why,” does not come as a surprise. The series is built around the character’s death.

But knowing that it is coming does not make it any easier to watch.

The 17-year-old girl climbs into a bathtub. She is holding a sharp tool called a razor. She uses it to cut into her skin on her arm. Blood spills out quickly. She cries and struggles to breathe. Then, she is quiet and still.

“13 Reasons Why” is based on a 2007 young-adult book written by Jay Asher. It is about a high school student who kills herself and leaves behind 13 audio recordings3 that detail the events that led her to commit suicide. In the recordings, she describes her experiences with sexual4 violence, drug abuse and bullying6.

The 13-part show was co-produced by American actress and singer Selena Gomez. The streaming service Netflix released the show on March 31.

Following its release, educators and mental health experts sharply7 criticized the show. They say it “romanticizes” suicide -- or makes it seem appealing or interesting.

Officials at some U.S. schools sent students home with letters, warning parents that the show may be harmful. They offered suggestions for how to talk about suicide. Some urged parents to watch and discuss the show with their children.

"It was supposed to be hard to watch"

The creators of “13 Reasons Why” say they do not feel the show romanticizes suicide. They say it shows suicide as “very ugly and very damaging.”

Brian Yorkey is one of the writers. He won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for the musical “Next to Normal” -- a play about mental illness. He said that “13 Reasons Why” brings up difficult issues that parents and their children should be talking about more.

"I understand it's hard to watch," Yorkey said [to the Associated Press]. "It was supposed to be hard to watch, because these things are incredibly hard to endure and we wanted to say, 'These things are happening in kids' lives. You can keep quiet about them. You can keep kids from watching shows about them. It's not going to stop them from happening in kids' lives and you should be talking about that.'"

Mental health experts, however, have described the show as “unsafe.” Phyllis Alongi is the clinical director for The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.

Graphic8 details about suicide we know historically are not recommended,” she told the Associated Press. “I understand what the producers are saying but it could be really unsafe and I think we need to be a little more responsible.”

The Washington Post last week reported on the comments of a school official in the state of Florida. He said his district has experienced an increase in “at-risk” behavior since the release of the show. Such behavior includes threats of suicide or self-injury. The official said that students involved in the incidents made mention of “13 Reasons Why.”

Other countries respond to '13 Reasons Why'

The show also has created concerns around the world. Schools in some Canadian provinces have barred discussion of the show.

A doctor with Australia’s Headspace counseling9 services put out a statement about “13 Reasons Why.” He wrote, “There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience -- and a young audience in particular.”

The New Zealand government’s Office of Film and Literature Classification has barred people under 18 from watching “13 Reasons Why” without their parents. The government said the show ignores the common link between suicide and mental illness.

“People often commit suicide because they are unwell, not simply because people have been cruel to them," it said.

Selena Gomez, who has talked openly about her own mental-health struggles, said she was prepared for criticism of the show.

“It’s going to come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about. But I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing,” Gomez told the Associated Press.

No debate about show's success

There is no debate that the show is popular, especially on social media. It has become the most talked-about show on Twitter in 2017. More than 2.4 million people like its Facebook page.

It also has seen success among some television critics. The Boston Globe’s Matthew Gilbert calls it “sensitive” and “surprising.” Liz Shannon Miller10 with IndieWire called the performance of Katherine Langford, who plays Hannah Baker, “believable and raw.”

However, mental health experts are more concerned with how such performances might affect teenagers who watch them.

The National Association of School Psychologists published a notice on its website about the show. It offers tips for educators, parents and students. An official with the association told the Washington Post it was the first time it has ever put out a notice in response to a TV show.

Netflix to add new warnings to show

Netflix announced Monday it plans to add a warning message for viewers of “13 Reasons Why.”

"There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series 13 Reasons Why," Netflix said in a statement. “While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories11.”

Netflix has not said what that message will include.

Words in This Story

razor - n. a tool or device with a sharp edge that is used to shave or cut hair from the face, body, or head

bully5 - v. to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person) : to act like a bully toward (someone)

romanticize - v. to think about or describe something as being better or more attractive or interesting than it really is

ugly - adj. very bad or unpleasant

incredibly - adv. in a way that is difficult or impossible to believe

endure - v. to experience (pain or suffering) for a long time

graphic - adj. shown or described in a very clear way — used especially to refer to things that are unpleasant or shocking

recommend - v. ?to suggest that someone do (something)?

mention - v. to talk about, write about, or refer to (something or someone) especially in a brief way

cruel - adj. used to describe people who hurt others and do not feel sorry about it

fortunate - adj. having good luck : enjoying good fortune

sensitive - adj. able to express thoughts and feelings through writing, music, dance, etc.

tips - n. advice or useful information

tremendous - adj. very large or great


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 suicide ssAwA     
n.自杀,自毁,自杀性行为
参考例句:
  • The number of suicide has increased.自杀案件的数量增加了。
  • The death was adjudged a suicide by sleeping pills.该死亡事件被判定为服用安眠药自杀。
2 baker wyTz62     
n.面包师
参考例句:
  • The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
  • The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。
3 recordings 22f9946cd05973582e73e4e3c0239bb7     
n.记录( recording的名词复数 );录音;录像;唱片
参考例句:
  • a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
  • old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐
4 sexual YiLzlw     
adj.性的,两性的,性别的
参考例句:
  • He was a person of gross sexual appetites.他是个性欲旺盛的人。
  • It is socially irresponsible to refuse young people advice on sexual matters.拒绝向年轻人提供性方面的建议是对社会不负责任。
5 bully bully     
n.恃强欺弱者,小流氓;vt.威胁,欺侮
参考例句:
  • A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
  • The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。
6 bullying f23dd48b95ce083d3774838a76074f5f     
v.恐吓,威逼( bully的现在分词 );豪;跋扈
参考例句:
  • Many cases of bullying go unreported . 很多恐吓案件都没有人告发。
  • All cases of bullying will be severely dealt with. 所有以大欺小的情况都将受到严肃处理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 sharply UiRziL     
adj.锐利地,急速;adv.严厉地,鲜明地
参考例句:
  • The plane dived sharply and rose again.飞机猛然俯冲而后又拉了起来。
  • Demand for personal computers has risen sharply.对个人电脑的需求急剧增长。
8 graphic Aedz7     
adj.生动的,形象的,绘画的,文字的,图表的
参考例句:
  • The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
  • Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。
9 counseling GvQzb6     
n.咨询服务
参考例句:
  • A multimillionaire media magnate has shocked his employees with his candor by telling them all that he's putting his business affairs on hold to enter an alcoholism-counseling program. 一位身份数百万的媒体大亨,坦诚地告诉他全体员工他将暂时搁置他的事业以便参加戒酒班,令员工大为惊愕。
  • She will need medical help and counseling to overcome the tragedy. 她将需要医疗帮助和心理咨询来平复这场悲剧。
10 miller ZD6xf     
n.磨坊主
参考例句:
  • Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
  • The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。
11 advisories 838d8e512dfe9504dd8a0f42397c9482     
n.(有关进展、动向、建议等的)报告( advisory的名词复数 );公告;通告;通报
参考例句:
  • Compliance with Practice Advisories is optional. 是否遵守实务公告由审计师自行选择决定。 来自互联网
  • Hardened-PHP: not as such a PHP security information website, but it does have security advisories. 增强PHP:不仅仅是一个PHP安全新的网站,它还提供安全建议。 来自互联网

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