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The number of suicides among young Americans has risen by nearly a third in the month following the start of the popular Netflix television series "13 Reasons Why" in 2017, in which a teenager kills herself, reveals an American study.
The researchers said the study had limitations and that they could not establish a direct causal link between "13 reasons" and the increase in the suicide rate, nor rule out "no". other factors. Another previous study had shown that viewing the program was badociated with a reduction in the risk of self-harm in some young adults.
The suicide rate in April 2017 was 28.9% higher among young Americans aged 10 to 17 than expected, based on the number of suicides and trends observed in previous years, said the National Study. Institutes of Health-supported by the NIH.
The study found that suicide rates for 10-17 year olds were also higher the rest of the year, which would have resulted in 195 additional suicide deaths, from April to December 2017, by compared to forecasts based on previous data. The increase is mainly due to young boys, they said.
A spokesperson for Netflix said the company had just seen the study and was reviewing it.
"This is a topic of crucial importance and we have worked hard to make sure we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," Netflix spokesman said.
The spokesman also said the research was at odds with a recent discovery by a team from the University of Pennsylvania.
In a survey of 18- to 29-year-olds, Pennsylvania researchers found that students who watched Season 2 of the "Top 13 Reasons" were less likely to report self-inflicted and suicidal behaviors than those who did not. did not look at the whole series.
The show tells the story of a teenager who left behind a series of 13 tapes describing why she decided to commit suicide. The last episode of the first season showed that she was cutting her wrists in a bathtub.
The graphic scene was a shock to parents and healthcare professionals, prompting Netflix in 2017 to put additional warnings on viewers and direct them to support groups.
A second season was released in May 2018 and a third season was commissioned by Netflix.
Chief Executive Reed Hastings defended the renewal of the third season at a shareholders' meeting in June 2018.
"13 Reasons Why" has been extremely popular and successful.It's an attractive content.It's controversial.But nobody has to watch it ,? said Hastings.
NIH-supported researchers said their findings "should remind us to bear in mind the unintended consequences of portraying suicide and to call on the entertainment industry and the media to use best practices when address this topic ".
The study was conducted in several universities, hospitals and at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the US National Institutes of Health. NIMH also funded the study.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019.
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