Stamford, Norwalk public schools warn parents of themes in Netflix series '13 Reasons Why'

<p>Stamford and Norwalk public schools have joined a growing number of districts around the country warning parents about the themes featured on Netflix's recent hit series &quot;13 Reasons Why.&quot;</p>

News 12 Staff

May 2, 2017, 4:55 PM

Updated 2,550 days ago

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Stamford, Norwalk public schools warn parents of themes in Netflix series '13 Reasons Why'
Stamford and Norwalk public schools have joined a growing number of districts around the country warning parents about the themes featured on Netflix's recent hit series "13 Reasons Why."
The series is an adaptation of the young adult novel of the same name, in which main character Hannah commits suicide, leaving behind tapes detailing 13 reasons why she did it and identifying the people she blames. The streaming service made all episodes available at the end of March.
School officials and mental health experts are concerned with the graphic depiction of suicide and other topics that include bullying and rape.
Joe O'Callaghan, head of Stamford Public Schools' Social Work Department, wrote a message to Stamford families, warning parents about the show's red flags. He says it has the potential to glorify suicide or make it seem like a vengeful act, in addition to possibly triggering teens who have already thought about suicide.
Norwalk's letter recommends adults watch the show with their children and talk about the issues. The goal is to help teens realize there are people who can help if they find themselves in a situation similar to Hannah's.
The letters from Stamford and Norwalk also include information about various suicide prevention resources and talking points for parents about the show.


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