Information re: 13 Reasons Why

Dear Families,

As many of you may already be aware, a Netflix series portraying suicide named 13 Reasons Why debuted last year, which raised some concerns. Season 2 will be starting soon. Preventing youth suicide is paramount, and we would like to make sure you are aware of this program and also offer you resources. We are here to answer any questions you may have and will help in any way that we can.

The National Association of School Psychologists developed these guidelines on how families may wish to approach this topic:
1. Ask your child if they have heard about or viewed the series 13 Reasons Why. While we don’t recommend that they be encouraged to view the series, do tell them that if they watch it, you want to watch it with them or to catch up and discuss their thoughts.
2. If they exhibit any of the warning signs listed in the linked resource below, do not be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help.
3. Ask your child if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any of the warning signs.
4. Listen to your children’s comments without judgment. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.
5. Get help from a school-employed or community-based mental health professional if you are 
concerned for your child’s safety or the safety of one of her/his peers.

Please follow this link for additional information: https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources and Publications/Resources/Crisis/13 Reasons Why Guidance_FINAL.pdf

Our counselors are here for you and your children. Please feel free to reach out to us about this issue specifically, or any questions you may have about mental health. Together, we are a powerful team to help keep your children safe and to ensure all students achieve their greatest potential.

Peace,
Sara Stockwell, Ed.S.
Executive Director of Pupil Services
Perrysburg Schools
(419) 874-9131, extension 2155
[email protected]