13 Reasons Why

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I just finished binge watching 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. Why am I writing about this? Because Suicide has had a HUGE impact on my life since I was roughly 20 when my first friend took her own life. Since 1985, at least 5 of my friends and family members have done the same. Many others have attempted, and not been successful, thankfully.
13 reasons why is about Hannah, a young woman takes her own life. Two weeks after her tragic death, a classmate named Clay finds a mysterious box on his porch. Inside the box are recordings made by Hannah -- on whom Clay had a crush -- in which she explains the 13 reasons why she chose to commit suicide. If Clay decides to listen to the recordings, he will find out if and how he made the list. The intricate and heart-wrenching tale is told through Clay and Hannah's dual narratives. To say this show hit home would be an understatement. It touched me on multiple levels. I believe it is something that every parent should consider watching with their child, and have discussions about each episode after. Open the conversation. The big controversy is that the program shows Hanna taking her life. It shows the agony and the pain it took to slash her wrists. In 13 episodes, it shows the aftermath it has on all the people left behind. All the people who argue about this being a selfish act - sometimes, there is no helping someone who does not want to help themselves.. I wanted to watch this show because it is something that is controversial right now, some high schools are showing it, some are banning it. The bottom line, most parents have no idea how to recognize it. Most PEOPLE don't know how to recognize it. High School is the worst, because the maturity level of the kids makes it seem like it will never end or be overcome. Suicide is real, it is huge in a teenage world but also in adult life. So many factors - physical or mental abuse, bullying, loneliness, isolation, depression, addiction, substance abuse, you name it. I won't go into detail about the folks I've lost and how. I will go into their impacts on me while they were alive, which are everlasting. I cannot begin to understand what they were going through at the time of their deaths. All I know is that I'm sad they are gone, because each and every one of them brought joy to my life in one shape or another, even if they felt no joy themselves. Be cognizant of people around you - you never know what they may be going through. Don't Judge. The cool thing about life: if you don’t give up, if you keep going, putting one foot in front of the other, you never know what’s going to happen next. And I have real faith today that whatever is out there, I can face and overcome. I can enjoy life, moment by moment, day by day.

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