ATLANTA — There is new information backing up the fears surrounding a popular Netflix show that deals with teen suicide.
Researchers say the number of young people who took their own lives has gone up since the release of the show "13 Reasons Why," a show about a young girl who ends her life and leaves notes for the people in her life.
The National Children's Hospital looked at suicide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found that after the show premiered on the streaming platform in April 2017, suicide rates for young people between the ages of 10 and 17 jumped nearly 30 percent. The National Institutes of Mental Health said they found the increase in the suicide rate was more significant in young men.
The study was conducted by researchers at several universities, hospitals, and the National Institutes of Mental Health also funded the study.
Researchers are careful to point out that it is not a definitive link - there's no evidence to show that the show caused the spike. But, it does highlight how sensitive teens might be to portrayals of suicide in the media.
Several nonprofits have issued their own guidelines on how to present suicide on TV, including not describing the way in which the person died, not showing the funeral or mourning family members, and highlighting the number one cause of suicide - untreated depression.
"13 Reasons Why" is on its third season and Netflix has been listening to the backlash. It added additional warnings to make it clear viewers know the show deals with such a sensitive subject.
Georgia has unique resources for people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts - the Georgia Crisis Access Line runs 24/7 and is available at 1-800-715-4225. Teens can also text that line through the MyGCAL app. All calls are free, confidential and anonymous.
