Young Americans commit suicide after the launch of Netflix show "13 reasons why", the cause remains unclear: study

The number of suicides among young Americans increased by nearly one-third in the month following the start of the popular TV series Netflix 13 Reasons Why in which a teenager is killing itself, revealed Monday an American study.

The researchers stated that the study had limitations and that they could not establish a direct causal link between 13 Reasons Why and the increase in the rate of suicide, nor exclude other factors. Another previous study had shown that viewing this program was badociated with a reduction in the risk of self-harm in some young adults.

In April 2017, the suicide rate was 28.9% higher than expected by young Americans. on the number of suicides and trends observed in previous years, announced Monday the study of NIH (National Institutes of Health-Supported).
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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 spokesman for Netflix said the company had just seen the study and that she was reviewing it.

"This is a topic of paramount importance and we have worked hard to make sure we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," Netflix spokesman said. The spokesman also said that 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 were following the entire season two of . ] 13 reasons why were less likely to report self-inflicted and suicidal thoughts than others who did not watch the series at all.

The series tells the story of a teenager who leaves 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 provoked a violent reaction from parents and health professionals, prompting Netflix in 2017 to issue additional warnings for viewers and direct them to support groups.

The second season was published in May 2018 and a third season was commissioned by Netflix.

General Manager, Reed Hastings, defended the renewal of the third season at a shareholders' meeting in June 2018.

"13 reasons were extremely popular. and succeeded. It is an attractive content. It's controversial. But no one has to look at it, "Hastings said.

NIH-supported researchers said their findings" should serve as a reminder to remember the possible unintended consequences of the depiction of suicide, and to A call to the entertainment and media industry to use best practices when they 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 United States National Institutes of Health. NIMH also funded the study.