Why psychologists have got it wrong on 13 Reasons Why

Claiming that it can lead to suicide is sensationalist, runs the risk of creating a moral panic

Since its debut the Netflix drama series, 13 Reasons Why, has been at the centre of a media firestorm. Psychologists and mental health groups have spoken out publicly against the show, especially its frank depiction of suicide, claiming that it sends out the wrong message to viewers.

Vulnerable teens, so their argument goes, may strongly identify with the protagonist, Hannah Baker, and view the series as an instruction manual for suicide. The overarching fear is that 13 Reasons Why might not only encourage someone to take their own life, but may also become contagious. As