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'13 Reasons Why' has sparked a rise in mental health helpline calls

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13 reasons why

Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which depicts the suicide of a teenage girl, has sparked a huge rise in mental health helpline calls.

According to ABC, Australia's youth mental health foundation Headspace has received calls from young people, parents and schools who have found 13 Reasons Why distressing.

Headspace's national manager for school support Kirsten Douglas said: "People have said the show has triggered their own vulnerabilities and made them consider whether suicide is a possible option for them.

"We are so concerned about that and we see spikes in suicide when there is unsafe portrayals," she added.

Douglas, who also said teenagers are vulnerable to contagion, stated: "That's a huge driving factor around contagion… people may look at that the method as a real option.

13 reasons why netflix

"If you have seen it, it seems more attainable. When you watch harmful suicide footage it can lead to further death."

Based on the 2007 novel by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why deals with difficult themes and topics, including sexual assault and teen suicide.

The show's producers recently defended their decision to include Hannah's suicide scene in such graphic detail.

"We worked very hard not to be gratuitous," creator Brian Yorkey said, "but we did want it to be painful to watch, because we wanted it to be very clear that there is nothing, in any way, worthwhile about suicide."

Asher also spoke about the idea of a second season for the show, even though there was no sequel to the book.

13 Reasons Why is available on Netflix now.

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.

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