How Does Suicide Portrayal Affect Adolescents? Mental Remedy

Teenagers with a history of mental illness are at a greater risk for suicidal thoughts and actions. Therefore, it is essential to portray suicide and related behaviours accurately.

While 13 Reasons Why is a wildly popular television series that has garnered international attention, some have expressed concern about the show's potential impact on adolescents. This article will address some of these concerns and explain what the series does and does not do for adolescents.

Teenagers are an impressionable and impressionable group that frequently reacts to what they see in the media. This includes imitative behaviours, which can result in emotional and physical issues for adolescents.

Studies indicate that depictions of suicide can negatively affect adolescents at high risk for suicidal ideation and behaviour. This is referred to as the "Werther effect," but it is also possible for positive outcomes to occur, such as increased awareness of suicide, stigma reduction, and help-seeking behaviour.

When depicted responsibly, media can aid in promoting help-seeking, dispelling falsehoods, and bolstering hope, all of which save lives.

This is particularly true of suicide depictions in moving-image media such as films and television. Therefore, it is essential to consider the nuances of these media and how they influence suicide risk factors. It is also important to consider the potential pitfalls of regulating or limiting such content.

The media's depiction of suicide is a means of shaming adolescents struggling with their mental health. It encourages them to commit suicide instead of requesting assistance.

This is illustrated by the blue whale suicide game, which encourages adolescents to self-harm or commit suicide. At least 130 deaths have been attributed to these games worldwide. Media creators need to adhere to guidelines to prevent normalizing this behaviour.

The portrayal of suicide on television, in the movies, or online can hurt suicidal ideation and self-harm. It can also encourage public misunderstandings and misconceptions about the nature of suicide.

When preparing content for the screen, it is best to adhere to a few straightforward guidelines to minimize the impact. The most apparent and effective measures are to avoid depicting or describing the actual act of suicide and to demonstrate that assistance is available.

The media can be an effective tool for suicide prevention, so long as they are used responsibly. It can encourage assistance-seeking, dispel misconceptions, and foster optimism.

The most effective way to achieve this is to avoid depicting methods or procedures that may cause harm and instead depict characters who can contend with suicidal thoughts without attempting suicide.

Suicide glamorization and depictions of self-harm in the media may harm vulnerable individuals, such as adolescents. Through repeated exposure and modelling, particularly on social media platforms, such depictions will likely normalize hazardous behaviours, hurting vulnerable populations.

Several studies have found that the effect of media content on suicidal ideation and attempts varies based on a person's age, gender, and prior suicidal experiences. (Gould). Nonetheless, many depictions of suicide can promote positive outcomes, such as suicide awareness, stigma reduction, and help-seeking behaviour among those at risk for suicidal thoughts.

The program 13 Reasons Why is extremely popular among adolescents. It depicts several prevalent adolescent issues, including melancholy, anxiety, and self-harm.

The program is also quite humorous. The protagonists make light of themselves and their difficulties. This is a widespread practice among adolescents that may be hazardous.

The portrayal of suicide is one of the most disturbing aspects of the 13 Reasons Why series. In one episode, a character self-mutilates and boldly proclaims, "Suicide is for cowards."

Suicidal ideation or attempts are a prevalent problem among adolescents, and this issue must be addressed. It's also critical to avoid stigmatizing suicide. It is believed that stigma is a barrier to gatekeeping and could discourage efforts to assist someone who is suicidal.

Suicide depiction in film, television series, or on the Internet may have imitation effects, contribute to public misunderstandings of the nature of suicide, perpetuate falsehoods, and impede effective suicide prevention.

The effects of suicide on adolescents are especially detrimental. They are more susceptible to media influence and less likely to seek mental health care or treatment when their thoughts are more severe than adults.

Studies indicate that exposure to fictional stories about suicide can result in imitative behaviours, a phenomenon known as suicide contagion.

There is a need for more research into the relationship between media and adolescent suicides. It is crucial to consider the role of social media in exposing youth to detrimental or suggestive content.