Popular Culture Review Volume 30, Number 1, Winter 2019 | Page 204

“ None of You Cared Enough ”: The Problematic Moralizing of 13 Reasons Why
with Hannah , begins a crusade against the individuals on the tapes , wanting them to pay for their actions . Throughout the series , Clay , who is overcome with guilt at failing to prevent Hannah ’ s death , repeatedly states that “ we let her down ” and “ we all killed her .”
In an interview with Teen Vogue , Jay Asher , the author of the novel and a consultant for the television series , described the franchise as a “ cautionary tale ,” with the overarching narrative in both mediums designed to increase awareness regarding at-risk youth ( Elizabeth , “‘ 13 Reasons Why ’ Author Jay Asher on Working with Selena Gomez and the Netflix Adaptation ”), as suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among teenagers ( Curran 14 ); Asher himself was initially motivated to write the book after a teenage relative attempted suicide . However , while Asher ’ s intentions are admirable , the ultimate influence of the series has been called into question . Notably , the National Association Psychologists ( NASP ) released a statement regarding 13 Reasons Why , the first time the organization had ever done so for a television series , stating that it could possibly inspire copycat suicides :
Research shows that exposure to another person ’ s suicide , or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death , can be one of the many risk factors that youth struggling with mental health conditions cite as a reason they contemplate or attempt suicide . ( Howard , “ Why Teen Mental Health Experts Are Focused on ‘ 13 Reasons Why ’”)
Suicide prevention advocacy groups have similarly expressed concerns that at-risk youth who view the series may instead be motivated , instead of deterred , to commit suicide , arguing
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