320 thoughts on “13 Reasons Why: Watch Your Thoughts”

1. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was go to the funeral of a teen who completed suicide to be supportive of the other teens in my weekend ESL group. That prompted me to go through suicide prevention training. I could not agree with you more. Kids need to know they are created by and immensely loved by God and know their value. They don’t need to garbage 13RW puts out. I watched it to stay in tune with what young people might be watching. It was so draining to watch.

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   1. Oh my gosh that is so tragic. That was so good that you went to training. We need more ally adults like you – that have resources and a heart that longs to help those hurting at risk youth!! Hugs and love xox

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2. “Watch your thoughts, they become words;
   watch your words, they become actions;
   watch your actions, they become habits;
   watch your habits, they become character;
   watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

   FRANK OUTLAW
   Late President of the Bi-Lo Stores

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   1. Yes. Such powerful words. I wish we could all take them to heart. Thanks for reading, Mary. Hugs and love xox

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3. Thank you once again for sharing TRUTH in the midst of so many lies that bombard us each day. “Look up!” — what an INCREDIBLE message of hope. Thank you God for Hope! Thank YOU for another great post. I look forward to all that you share.

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   1. Thank you so much James. Amen. We can always look up. Hugs and love xox

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4. Thank you for sharing/for bringing this into public light. I avoid such shows with a passion but when I hear about them, I am clueless. Your outrage is evident and I hope that it makes a difference as soon as possible. The negative images placed in front of young people is eroding our society. I know it was tough to write, but thank you.

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   1. Thank you Susan. Yeah this is definitely one to avoid I’m afraid. Thank you friend. You’re right – eroding society. From the youth, up. Hugs and love xox

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5. I already commented from my story blog, but I feel worked up about this. There is a concern about contagion meaning if one kid attempts or completes suicide, it emboldens other kids to try. Teens have no concrete concept of forever. 13Rw in my opinion only serves to romanticize suicide. I hope all adults reading your blog pay attention to the teens in their lives.

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   1. Yes – the contagion aspect is very real and incredibly frightening. Same here. Hugs and love xox

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6. Very well put. It is truly awful now what kind of “examples” and “images” are put out for all of us to, theoretically, digest and accept. This is a huge, HUGE topic along with all the other sensational and negative things in this particular story line……good to begin dialogue, yes, but bad to cloak it all the the same “glamour” (in the original meaning of the word) that is harming us all. People kill themselves because they can’t take the pain any longer. It’s hard for people to accept that, I know; and harder of course to accept when you think you are Alone, with no resource to turn to for sustenance and aid in dealing with that very pain- which of course turns out to be rather universal rather than separating…..

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   1. Thank you friend. You’re so right – it is such a HUGE topic with HUGS ramifications, especially for viewers at such an impressionable age. Such powerful thoughts. Thanks again. Hugs and love xox

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7. I’m currently watching season 1 of 13 Reasons Why and I read the book when I was a junior in high school. That was almost six years ago. When I read the book I remember feeling the weight of everything displayed in the novel. I remember understanding more deeply how in life, the decisions we make, the words we say, the actions we do, especially the ones involving others’ lives, can have huge impact on someone else. I appreciate your post and I thank you for expressing the graphic-ness of the show before I continue, if I continue watching.

   I see the importance and the desire the makers of this show had, but I also believe the reality and the brutality of certain issues do not need to be glorified and shown explicitly in some cases. However, if you take a show like Roots that violently displays the brutality of racism, slavery, and the misogyny of black women by slave owners America would not have a view of what really happened for 400 years. I do think this show intends to start a conversation between teens and adults. I would like to believe the reasons why so many scenes are graphic is because it is trying to force a generation to see the sadness (it’s affect on those left) of suicide as well as the cruelty of hate crimes. I have not seen all of the show, so my opinion of the show entirely can not be held in high regard, but I just wanted to share my opinion since I started watching the show a day ago. Maybe this opinion will change if I do decide to finish it, I don’t know.

   I want to believe the show has some merit. I do, but I do believe the audience it targets is a malleable one that should beware of what they view.

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   1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. I definitely agree – it’s an important topic, and a conversation is certainly important. I just wish they could have gone about it with a little less sensationalism and romanticism. Best of luck with the rest of the series, and thanks so much for reading 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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8. I will have to watch it because I need to stay informed since I will be working with adolescents, but I agree with what you’ve written about the need for us to watch our thoughts, words, and actions. I read the book, “Perks of Being a Wallflower” several years ago, and I felt that story also tried putting in as many destructive issues in the plot as possible. Then I saw one of the middle schools promoting the movie by offering free tickets from reading the book. I was horrified because I considered the book way too old for middle school, and the small amount of positive influence was not enough to redeem the negative parts of the story/characters’ actions. But this is what sells now. It’s hard to find books that aren’t crammed full of edgy issues for young adults. It’s causes me to consider writing a different kind of book.

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   1. Thanks Melissa. Yeah I think that is wise. I have not seen that film. Yeah we forget how impressionable kids are at that age. We watch from with the filter of adulthood. It’s hard to go back to that headspace as an adolescent. Kudos to you for your work with them! So important 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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9. Thanks for posting this Caralyn. I have been so tempted to watch this series for the same reason that you describe; to see what is being put out there. But I am glad that I read your post first, because I am positive it would not be an uplifting experience and I would probably come away with the same feelings that you have.

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   1. Thanks so much Kelli. No definitely not uplifting at all. You walk away feeling punched in the gut. Tough content. Hugs and love xox

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10. Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite Bible verses, too. Sounds like a really awful TV program! You are right! No one needs to be watching stuff like this, especially teenagers, who at such an impressionable age.

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    1. It’s one of my favorite verses too. Thanks – yeah so impressionable. Hugs and love xox

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11. Dreadful. I used to say that my kids faced 100 times more temptations than I did. Then watching my grandchildren, I believe they’re facing 1000 times more temptations. When I read something like this, I’m heartsick. Prayer, fasting, and helping the ones God brings into your circle (or the circles He pushes you into) is all I know to do. I keep hoping that we can change the culture just like the early Christians did. Thank you for standing on the watchtower to warn us all of incoming danger. I appreciate your standing up for all that is good, true, and beautiful.

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    1. Thanks friend. I keep hoping that too. Thanks for taking the time to read and for your kind words. Your encouragement really means a lot. Hugs and love xox

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12. I remember your original article. I never watched the show, because I didn’t want them to record so much as one more viewer. I’d forgotten that they actually depicted the suicide. I’m reminded of a line from an old play where some kid was explaining why he included distasteful material in his plays. He told an older woman that it’s part of life. Her retort?

    “So is diarrhea., but I don’ find it entertaining.”

    YES!!!! It erases the lethality and finality of death! Brilliant! I was going to say no one is ever around to hear the tributes and professions of love. Just so happened I saw the funeral procession today for a retired fireman who was a giant in the South Houston community. Every emergency vehicle in the area was in the procession, lights blazing, that went under an American flag suspended over the road by two ladder trucks. I only hope he knew how much he was appreciated before he died! I’m sure his family were touched by the gesture.

    Funerals, after all, are for the living.

    Kids are shown in 13 Reasons how much they can enjoy the attention of suicide when nothing could be more wrong!

    Romeo and Juliet; here’s an image kids could use. I saw a staging that had Juliet in the catacomb on the table. Romeo took his poison per the script, and just as he sank to his knees, he SAW HER HAND MOVE JUST AS HE DIED!! OOOOPS!! They completely missed each other, and even Romeo in that interpretation was let in on it in the cruelest way possible.

    That’s death! That’s what kids aren’t being shown; the separation of it, the emptiness.

    Caralyn, I’m pained that you were so upset by this, but it produced some great writing, great points exquisitely pictured. What you put yourself through produced something that I think must have an impact! Hugs!!

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    1. Wow what a powerful procession to witness in Houston. I bet that was so meaningful to his family. Youre right – that age group loves drama and celebrity and fame. It is so devastating to be so glorifying of it. Amen – the emptiness and separation. Thank you so much Jeff for this thoughtful response. I really appreciate your support and friendship:) Hugs to you and Julie!

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13. Thank you for calling this program out, especially from a biblical perspective!

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    1. Thanks so much Matthew. Yes! “Whatsoever is pure!” Hugs and love xox

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14. Yet another reason I’m glad I don’t have Netflix (although I hear their “Daredevil” series is incredibly cool)

    In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I worked at a Suicide Prevention Hotline in Berkeley. My shift was from Midnight until 8 a.m. and I had the opportunity to share the sorrow and struggles of some very, very hurt people. I also went on to earn a Masters degree in Counseling, practiced in both public and private venues, and eventually became an investigator for Orange County (California) Child Protective Services. Yes, I’ve seen ugly.

    I was also bullied in Junior High and High School. I won’t go into all the details, but in 1971 (yes, I’m that old) there was a massive race riot in the city where I lived. After a Homecoming game, I was jumped by six African-American men and beaten. One of them worked over my lower back with a bicycle chain. It was weeks before I could stand again.

    I was terrified of African Americans for at least a year afterward. If it had happened today, my parents might have thought to get me into counseling, but back then, I kept the terror to myself and suffered alone. Eventually, it got better, but I still can’t let anyone come up behind me unannounced without jumping. Keep in mind, we’re talking about an event that happened almost 50 years ago.

    I’ve felt suicidal. No, not in decades, but when I was a kid, I knew where my Dad kept his loaded handgun. One night, I took it out of the drawer, held it and looked at it. I thought about it. I planned it. I didn’t do it (obviously).

    But there have been times over the long years since when those thoughts have resurfaced. I suppose it will be part of me until the day I die. Yes, God loves me, but that doesn’t mean He automatically erases the suffering of the faithful. That’s an illusion preached from the pulpit but not actualized in real life.

    All that leaves a mark no one can see, and especially as a male in America, you can never talk about. You can never tell anyone, not even your family, that you feel vulnerable and alone. You can never admit that every time older people are attacked in social and news media, you don’t feel worthless and ashamed. The same for every time people of faith are attacked, or socially conservative people are attacked, or old white men are attacked. Every time a news article or a Hollywood hotshot takes aim at people like me, I wonder if they’re right and that I’m an obsolete fossil who has no reason to live.

    But I do have a reason to live, and not just because of God. Whenever it gets bad, I look at photos of my grandchildren and remember how much they love and adore me. If I were to die, they would be absolutely crushed.

    “So bleep the “cool kids,” the “popular people,” and the “celebrity causes.” If the people who I love most in the world think I’m worth it, and if God thinks I’m worth it, then those people who don’t simply don’t matter to me, or at least their opinions don’t. I am not the sum of my pain. I am the sum of my love and my being loved.

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15. Well thought-out take on the way suicide is portrayed in the media. I have written on the topic myself and agree with you… the graphic aspects need to take a back seat to the personal pain it causes. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Eric. I so agree! Definite back seat. Hugs and love xox

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16. Hi Caralyn,
    As a Christian chaplain in a hospital and mental healthcare facility, as well as one who deals with BP2 myself, I know that suicide and suicidal ideation are real. It is part of my life and work and talking to people regularly about what drove them to want to take their own lives brings me often to the same answer, “I didn’t think anyone would miss me”, or “I was in the way”, or some similar thing. Of course, each of these people in the end tells me about a parent, a child, boyfriend or girlfriend, a boss or someone, who cares about them. “How would this impact them?” is my question.
    Instead of glorifying or even trying to justify or place blame for the circumstances of this fictitious character’s death, which only makes it harder for the next teen girl to do the same when life gets tough for her, we need to show kids that
    1. Life isn’t always fair
    2. Life isn’t always easy
    3. There is a price to pay for the things you truly want
    4. God has a plan for you and He will reveal it in His time, which may not be yours.
    5. Challenge yourself daily, because you can be sure that life itself will.

    You are a remarkable young lady and an inspiration to all.

    Love and Blessings,
    Jim

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    1. Amen Jim. This is such a powerful response. Thank you. You’re so right – that’s the question to ask – how would this impact them? And amen – God has a plan. Thanks for this great response and thank you for the incredibly important work you’re doing with those families and individuals. Hugs and love xox

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17. I’ve always thought about watching this series, but never got around to it. I’m going to have to check it out.

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    1. Thanks Sean, yeah it is highly highly disturbing. Sad that it’s targeted to teens. So sad

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18. You are so right, again.

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! Hugs and love xox

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19. I think its a very strong tv show and kids should not be allowed to see it, but at the same time it shows the reality in schools, you may not see it but kids are bullies and its a product of imagination, parenting, movies… there are plenty of kids being bullied in schools and very few speak up, some talk, some get over it or some take guns to school. It is very easy to buy a gun these days. It is very easy to do drugs.
    This show, althought very grafic and tragic retracts the cruel reality wheather we like it or not.

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    1. Those are really great points. There are a lot of hurting kids out there who sadly know this as reality. That breaks my heart. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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20. Thank you for writing this. I also watched the first season to engage in dialogue with friends, but after reading this I will not be watching Season 2. I’ve been both the one with mental health issues and the one supporting a loved one with mental health issues, and from my experience I’ve learned that you can never blame these issues on other people. Recovery requires taking responsibility for your own health. 13 Reasons communicates the opposite, and just that thought can be detrimental to someone on a struggling road to recovery.

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21. Thank you for sharing this. I started watching the first season a few months ago but just couldn’t get through it. Definitely not a show worth watching.

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    1. Thanks Leigh. Yeah definitely highly disturbing material. Hugs and love xox

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22. As someone who has fought this suicidal battle for over 5 decades and countless times I have been into that emotional hole way to many times. Actually there is an art to surviving these kinds of thoughts. A close personal friend has asked me to write about it. I don’t know what I would do with it. All of those kinds of show are dangerous. Most human minds are not fully developed until around the age of 25. Given that fact why do people expect these growing minds to comprehend the seriousness of these issues?

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Duke. I’m so sorry that this show hits so close to home for you. That’s such a great point. And I just want to say how much I admire your courage in opening up about this. Your strength is inspiring 💛 sending so much love xox

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       1. It’s no big deal. I first did an interview with the local paper years ago and when I did it I knew it would go online. Lets just say I am much closer to 60 than 50 and if talking about it in public helps others then that’s fine. There would be one condition. I won’t sugar coat anything. As I tell people I will talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. Just name the time and place.

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       2. We need people like that!! We need to hear the truth!

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23. Right on. Especially on God having a role to play. Remember the Lord’s prayer. Everytime we pray it we pray “Thy will be done.” And then there is Christ’s last words, “Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done” While suicide is not murder and therefore not a sin, disobeying the will of God is a sin. On the Grief journey you think a lot about joining your loved one by you own hand. You don’t because it might result in your not being judged unworthy to rejoin your loved one in heaven.

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    1. Thank you friend. Yes, Thy will be done. Always. Hugs and love xox

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24. I’m a teen.. but I don’t like most of these emerging ‘teen’ books and movies.. And I thank God for that.
    They’re more like modernizing the old barbaric practices civilization seeks to eradicate. Makes me wonder the contemporary definition of ‘civilization’.
    Another thing is that since it’s widely ‘apparent’ that most youths are being controlled by their hormones, I’m not surprised that most (not really all) trending adolescent-themed books and films are ‘reckless’. Thank you for this post. That’s why I love BBB!

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    1. Thanks Haddon for sharing your perspective on this! So true – they’re modernizing the barbaric for sure. And thanks for saying that! So glad you enjoy my blog! Big hugs xox

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25. I’m a teen.. but I don’t like most of these emerging ‘teen’ books and movies.. And I thank God for that.
    They’re more like modernizing the old barbaric practices civilization seeks to eradicate. Makes me wonder the contemporary definition of ‘civilization’.
    Another thing is that since it’s widely ‘apparent’ that most youths are being controlled by their hormones, I’m not surprised that most (actually not all) trending adolescent-themed books and films are ‘reckless’. Thank you for this post. That’s why I love BBB!

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26. Very powerful post. There is, indeed, a major difference between discussing these issues and glorifying them.

    Just a suggestion though…in the future, maybe you want to consider having a link to a list of suicide hotlines around the world, and not just having the US one? You seem to have a really large following and I assume a portion of those followers are from outside the states, so having a link to a list of international suicide hotline may be a great service.

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    1. Thanks so much Brendan! That’s a really great suggestion. I will research that and edit the post to include those numbers and links. Hugs and love xox

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       1. You’re welcome! Yeah when I did a post on the topic of suicide on my own blog, I only thought of this at the last minute, but was glad I thought of that.

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       2. ✨💛✨

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27. It is sad that people, including teens, will idolize people to a point where they will destroy themselves. Thank you for sharing and for shedding light on this.

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    1. Yeah it is heartbreaking. We don’t need the media to help them in doing that! Hugs and love xox

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28. Caralyn,
    I love your perspective! Yes, these things should never be glorified and the fact that they are in the media is sickening. I hope that parents realize the damage this show can do to their teenagers, especially at such a young age. May God continue to bless you as you share your heart and fresh insight to us 🙂
    Best,
    Laura

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    1. Thank you so much Laura. It really is sickening. We’ve got to pray for the young eyes that see this disturbing series. Hugs and love xox

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    2. And all eyes, really!

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29. As someone who is currently living through the permanent-ness of suicide loss, I very much appreciate your post and I hope people will avoid this show. I don’t get to talk to my aunt again, see her again, communicate with her again while I’m on this planet, and the silence is staggering and the emotions are raw and difficult to wrap my head around sometimes. I also recently read a very popular young adult novel that uses suicide as a plot twist. Each time I hear about a misconstrued representation of the nightmare that is suicide, especially when it is geared towards young people, I am so heartbroken. There is a huge need for serious and respectful dialogue about these topics, not glorification and sensationalization.

    I enjoy your blog very much, and am thankful you brought honesty and light to a very dark issue.
    -Lorelei

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    1. Oh friend I am so sorry to hear that. My heart and prayers are with you during this devastating season. Thank you for having the courage to share your experience. My heart breaks with you Lorelei. Sending you so so so so much love.

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30. I have mixed emotions about the series. It does depict issues that teens face, so in that way it can start a dialogue. However, it is extremely graphic and almost normalizes certain activities and behaviors. It tried to include every issue possible facing teens, but it was quantity over quality. Didn’t address the issues fully. I am not overly sensitive or easily triggered, but some of the scenes were too much for me. Thanks for writing this post!

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    1. Thanks Kaley for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah it was definitely intense and rather disturbing. But you’re right it definitely addressed a plethora of issues. So glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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31. It’s nice to come across others who are just as disgusted and heartbroken at this series/show! I did not see the first one, and I was not going to allow my children to. And they sure will not see the second one. This is such a sad thing and these kids honestly have no idea that the end means no more. I did not see the international suicide hotline number, if you’re able to share that when you get it appreciate it. I would love to repost.

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    1. Thanks Kammie I appreciate your thoughts on this. Yeah – it’s a tragic and final end. I will for sure do that! Hugs and love xox

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32. I started watching season 2 the other day, but shut it off early on. After reading this, I don’t know if I could even handle it. I feel blessed that my innocence was still preserved in high school, as these things weren’t even a thought. I pray for our youth today.

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    1. Thanks Carly, yeah that was a good decision. It was so incredibly disturbing. Yeah I will join you in that prayer. Hugs and love xox

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33. You know what? I am on episode 6 from season 2…I watch it alone with my wife, my kids are all grown, and I am angry and totally disgusted by all this…why? Because I suffer mental health , PTSD and everything I am seeing in this season is twisted and sick. I love everything you wrote and I approve 100% shaming Selena Gomez for producing such vague show, why is it done? We dont know but honestly when I was in high school it was my best year, not even half or close to what I am seeing in this show. I am in awe and hoping many parents will not allow their kids to watch this. I decided to watch it because I had already seen season 1, so I said what the heck….let me go for season 2, but all I am getting is angry and full of disgusts.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. You’re so right – twisted and sick. It’s a tough watch for sure. Disturbing. Hugs and love xox

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       1. 🤗🤗🤗

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       2. xoxo 🙂 xoxo

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34. Hey! Thank you for this much needed post. I just wanted to bring to your attention this Toolkit called “13 Reasons Why Toolkit”. It was developed by a group of top mental health professionals and bodies providing practical guidance and reliable resources for parents, educators, clinicians, youth and media related to the content of the series (suicide, school violence, sexual assault, bullying, substance abuse, etc.). I would appreciate if you could post this Toolkit in your blog post to raise awareness.

    Link: https://psihub.blog/2018/05/21/13-reasons-why-toolkit/ and

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    1. Thank you so much Vikram. I will definitely post that resource. Thanks for passing it along. Hugs and love xox

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    2. As soon as I get home because I’m out right now!

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35. […] that is wrong with the second season of “13 Reasons Why” can be found at this link BeautyBeyondBones. Because the first season/show should have never been […]

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    1. thank you for the link up! Hugs and love xox

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36. Hugs and Love to you every day!! God is SO forgotten in tv now. The 90s was actually a more attentive to God era. You had that show Touched By An Angel, and a kind of spinoff from it, Promised Land. Even a show like Walker Texas Ranger had many themes that pointed to God being good. Since then, God has fallen out of favor. That’s why, I think, when Passion of The Christ came out, it was so shocking to see so many being so taken up by it. Many in tv and movies had “put God aside” by then. Now you had that miniseries “The Bible” that was produced by Roma Downey (who was one of the mains on Touched By an Angel) and that spinoff on NBC “AD – The Bible Continues” that went from Easter to late spring a few years back. Other than that, forget about it. Now in this age of all these streaming networks, be it Netflix, Amazon etc.. they tend to be into the “extreme” “outrageous” “surreal” “morbid” etc.. God and all His good, and what is His truth, is never on the minds of their writers. Now another thing they’ve forgotten, regarding 13 reasons, is, and I don’t know what your Catholicism has taught you regarding suicide, but I was always taught that anybody who did went to hell because doing so was just like intently killing someone else (not counting war etc.. of course). You’re willingly, needlessly murdering one of God’s people, yourself. In other words, there is no glory after. I do not know if that is today’s teachings or beliefs even in The Catholic Church, but it at least once was. I am always so proud of you for all that you conquered in your tough times. You are a great example of overcoming the desire to commit. You are a gift to this world and it is so wonderful to know you. Your beauty both inside and out illuminates this oftentimes sad world we live in. Keep being that wonderful inspiration to so many. Keep sharing that beautiful smile both in all that you do for your profession, and even on here. God Bless You everyday! xoxoxoxo

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    1. Thank you so much Miguel for this thoughtful response. yeah, God is definitely not a popular topic in the mainstream media these days. Shock value has much more cache. I don’t feel qualified to speak on that, but I do trust in GOd’s mercy. so glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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       1. xoxoxoxoxo

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       2. ✨💛✨

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       3. Even movie remakes these days seem to be done so more for shock value than for real quality. I hope your film career is taking off as amazingly as you yourself are amazing!! xoxoxoxo ❤ ❤

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       4. you’re so right about that. aw, thank you. 🙂 xox

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       5. xoxoxo

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       6. ✨💛✨

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       7. On June 30th would you like to join some friends and I for lunch? Bring a friend too. I/we are going to Cachapas Y Mas up on Dyckman in Washington Heights. Then its down to The Barrio for music shopping and going to Salsa Saturday at La Marqueta. Love to have you/you all along.

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       8. Oh gosh, thank you so much for the invite Miguel! I’m not sure if I’ll be in town on the 30th yet, but i’ll let you know! sounds like fun!!

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       9. Hugs!! xoxo

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       10. 🤗

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       11. 🙂 🙂

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37. I understand that you’re extremely religious, for specifically Christian, and that rather you believe it or not certain concepts of that religion have molded the way you think about most if not all things dwelling outside that very small conservative box you were most likely raised in. Now, there’s no shade given that I identify as Christian as well. But as someone who is Christian as well as someone who used to starve himself, attempted suicide by overdose, and has suffered from severe depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety for as long as I can remember, honestly, I have to say you’re being too hard on this show. For one it is in fact just a show, regardless of how people take it what they’re options are; it’s fiction. Two, from someone who suffers from a wide variety of mental illnesses this show honestly does shed light on many things I’ve thought and gone through. I’m not really sure how you’ve gone through all that you’ve gone through and still can’t find any way to relate to anything in that show. Maybe you don’t want to be honest with yourself or maybe you’re just too self righteous hung up on the “glorification” of the show on certain issues. If that’s the case fine, there won’t be any changing you until perhaps you have kids one day and they go through this. Teens and people in general were committing and contemplating suicide way before this show and will still be after. So what if these issues seem to be glorified in this show; that’s your opinion to be honest. That does not speak to the actual intent of the show. Why not be more concerned with the fact that these issues exist in the first place. That’s the real problem…

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    1. Hey friend, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. First of all, I’m so sorry to hear that this hits so close to home for you. my heart goes out to you friend. secondly, I don’t think I am self righteous about the topic. I’m sorry if you feel that I am, but I have incredible compassion for people going through these things. And I can relate to many of these issues: anorexia is a mental health issue and a form of self harm for sure, one of my friends struggled with addiction, I was sexually assaulted, and of course, was a high schooler and felt the pressures of drinking and sex. so i can relate and have so much compassion. my problem with the show was its irresponsible depiction of the topics and how it glorifies such devastating and serious issues. And I agree, it is a serious problem that these issues exist in the first place. thanks again for stopping by. hope this cleared things up! Hugs and love xox

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       1. I guess I should ask why you feel as though these issues are being glorified? How would have gone about doing this show if you were the producer? The show is bold without doubt but I have feeling that had it been too modest there would’ve been complaints about that as well.

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       2. There was a lot of gratuitous violence. And I think the post spells out how it’s glorified.

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       3. The violence wasn’t that bad as far as depicting what happens in real life. I live in the second deadliest city in my state and I used to live in the first, I actually lived about ten miles away from Santa Fe. That “gratuitous” violence goes on everyday in many parts of this country. It is what it is, “This is America”… And fair enough, you did explain how it supposedly glorified all these issues. However you’re still not saying how you would’ve done it. If you think 13 reasons is too much then tell me if you wanted to raise awareness on these issues and show the raw details of these struggles how would you have done it? What would you have done to convey and show the pain, suffering and mental disposition of what so many kids are actually going through and to the extreme in fact.

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       4. I wrote the posts titled Beauty Beyond the Red for you. Please read…

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       5. Sure

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       6. Wow what a beautiful poem. Thank you for such kind words. Kenzie, it saddens me that you think I hate you!! Because I definitely do not! I love that we sometimes have different viewpoints but that we are able to talk about them in such a positive and respectful way. I always come away from our convos having learned something and with a new perspective that really gives me something new to think about. So thank you for that. I am incredibly touched by this poem. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hugs xox

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       7. I’m just glad you liked it… Of course I know you don’t hate me. I don’t feel like you’re the type to hate anyone. I just wanted to apologize and be transparent with you so you know I don’t hate you either, despite our differences. I’m still a huge fan and supporter of yours, probably will always be. Not to mention you’re so pretty. I’m sure I’m probably the furthest from your type but had reality been a little kinder I’d totally cross my fingers and shoot my shot. Those guys over there are missing out.

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       8. Well gosh thank you. that really means a lot 🙂

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       9. Keep smiling and stay beautiful. ☺️✌️

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       10. thanks x

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       11. Not to bother you further but thank you for your support. I don’t know if you actually read my work (I know I don’t read everyone’s work; people only care about likes and views anyway 🤫) buy I appreciate your likes. Despite our obvious differences I adore you and your blog. I also still have your book. You’re one of my favorites oddly enough. I haven’t spent actual money on anyone else on here. Lol

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       12. Well thank you. I do – you’re my friend and I want to read and support what your putting out there!! 🙂

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38. There is NO value in this show, I only watched 3 episodes of season 1. It upset me to know I lead a group and have parents retell their tragic loss of a child over and over once. Month. The show makes me furious over the disregard for the feelings of those who are bereaved.

    Four years ago, I dropped everything to drive 3 hours because my family member was suicidal. This same niece was with me last week working on her Senior Capstone Project: the effects of social media on suicide.

    I asked her about 13 Reasons Why. She said “It shouldn’t be allowed on.”

    I’m at a loss over how stupid adults can be, how blind, how unaware of our culture and how absolutely they must be aware of shows like this. A MA rating won’t stop a child from watching. In fact, it will tease and tempt and they’ll say everybody’s watching, I gotta watch.

    I have no plans to watch a show that does nothing to prevent suicide, rather it lures and fascinated and in an hypnotic way leads children to decide suicide must not be so bad.

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    1. Thank you so much Lisanne for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah, I am with you there. it is so inconsiderate to those bereaved. wow, what an incredible aunt you are. your niece is absolutely right – it should be allowed on. yes, same here. thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this. Hugs and love xox

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39. I’ve recently heard a family share the story of their daughter who committed suicide. She had binge watched the first season of 13RW. To hear the heartbreak and anguish in the mother’s voice is haunting to say the least. They had no clue their daughter was anywhere close to having such dark thoughts and feelings. And they monitored what she watched and did online, but the young lady was secretive about watching it. Soon after, she came home from school while everyone else was away and killed herself exactly like one of the characters in the show. The parents are sharing their story to try and warn others about the danger.

    You’re exactly right about what was left. Nothing but the pain and guilt of the family wondering why she did it and what could they possibly have done differently to prevent it.

    You also hit on the desensitizing the show does to the viewers. The young lady left letters behind like the character’s tapes. But some of those who received the letters have made disparaging comments about her since she died. They act as though they have no comprehension that her life is over and what a tragedy it is. I pray with you that parents step in and that someone with clear thinking pulls the plug on this mess.

    Well done on an especially difficult topic! Blessings!
    Kenneth

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    1. Oh my gosh Kenneth, this is so tragic. oh i am so sorry to hear that. gosh. so sad. yeah this show is so harmful. so so harmful. my prayers are with her loved ones left behind. big big hugs xo

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40. I completely agree. This show was so disturbing for me to watch as an adult. I can’t imag watching as a teen! I’m very disappointed that they took this topic that needs to be talked about and made it so graphic and unrealistic. Disgusting.

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    1. thanks Carla, yeah it was so disturbing. so incredibly disappointing too. Hugs and love xox

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41. Holy crap. I couldn’t believe your description of what happens in this program with the gang rape! I HATE it when the media portrays stuff like that as “everyday, normal bullying.” SO NOT NORMAL, SO NOT OKAY.

    The novel I’m writing now opens with a suicide recovery in the hospital. (It’s a YA spiritual novel of sorts.) One theme of my novel is that there is always hope and suicide is never necessary. I’d be honored if you’d read it one day if I ever publish it or get it published. I completely agree with you that a relationship with a ghost is highly inappropriate given the ghost committed suicide. If it was death by accident, I’d be on board, but that ghost had a freakin’ choice (not that I want to sound judgmental against anyone who’s taken their own life–I’ve tried it in the past and thank God I failed).

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    1. thank you Meg, yeah it was so disturbing. SO disturbing. and to think that it is being targeted to teens. What the heck was Netflix thinking. wow, that sounds like a powerful novel. I hope to read it one day. and tank you for sharing your story – i’m so glad you’re here today 🙂 sending so much love and hugs xo

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    2. Sorry–I meant to say my novel opens with a recovery from a suicide attempt. No actual suicide, just learning that it never needed to be attempted, if that makes sense. 🙂

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       1. Gotcha 🙂

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42. Just so you know, your review of the first season of this Netflix series is what grabbed me about your writing style, when I had very little idea who you shaped up to be. I am not sure I would have watched something like that series for enjoyment, but I certainly didn’t want to when I read what you had to say about it. Now every time I am searching Netflix titles, and this series’ icon to play it appears in front of me, I remember, “There’s that series that beautybeyondbones reviewed.” I believed then that you found it despicable, and I believe now you find the next season similarly heartless. I might have worked up the nerve to try sitting through it if I had never read your review of the first season, but thanks to that timely post of yours, I made the decision never to.

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    1. Thanks friend. Yeah despicable is for sure the word. I’m so glad you found the review helpful 🙂 big hugs to you xox

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43. Your posts are always easy to read and real. Much appreciated

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    1. Thanks Nathan. Hugs and love xox

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44. […] https://beautybeyondbones.com/2018/05/21/13-reasons-why-watch-your-thoughts/ […]

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    1. Thanks Tonya for the link up! Hugs and love xox

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45. This movie is one of many targeting our kids to destroy them, making their producer Satan and not some foolish puppet celebrity Satan is using. Pisces me off. We need to protect our children and demand as a collective that Netflix remove these movies from easy access of our children. No one watch it but also all of us mail or call them demanding it’s removal. It is time we were vocal about such attacks on our kids. I am with you and for God. Love you and your heart for justice. ❤

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    1. Thanks so much Tonya. You’re so right – we need to protect kids from this – not glorify it. Yes you’re so right. Hugs and love xox

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       1. Keep fighting the good fight! You rock!❤❤❤

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       2. ✨💛✨

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46. My wife and I tried to have a conversation with a teenager in our church about how dangerous season 1 was for her to watch– she thought it was a great show. I’m really hoping she was too busy with her very very full school year to watch the 2nd. I will have to ask her this Sunday about this.

    Thanks for taking one for the team and watching this so a thoughtful Christian review of the season is available.

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    1. I pray she was too busy to watch too. Good for you for opening up a conversation with her about it! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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47. Thank you for the warning!

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    1. No prob! Thanks for reading! Hugs and love xox

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48. Wow. I wasn’t planning on watching it, and I didn’t see the first season, but, wow.

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    1. Yeah so disturbing. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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49. I remember being in the 9th grade when the book was released. Back then my classmates glorified it. They were obsessed with this…romanticized vision of suicide. Then several teen suicides occurred in our area. One student was a member of our school…he was a 12th grader. I will never forget hearing the ridiculous comments circling around. There was a rumor he killed himself because his girlfriend had broken up with him. The girls in my homeroom, and many of my friends thought that this was “ROMANTIC” because “He couldn’t live without her.” I felt sick to my stomach….absolutely sick.
    A friend of mine actually watched the first season of the show and HATED it. She suffers from depression, and she’s attempted suicide. She found the show was glorifying and glamorizing these subjects. She said the main character made it furious, and that the writers of the show had no idea what they were talking about.
    Not all of these issues are faced by the average teenager. I was one only a few short years ago, and guess what nothing has changed.
    Even the show Riverdale, which at first I enjoyed because I grew up reading all the Archie comics (my uncles a collector), has become a HUGE turn off to teenagers in its second season. My cousins who are between 14 and 17 watch the show, and I decided to ask their opinion on the second season because I thought something was wrong with me for thinking it was…terrible…their comment was, “I don’t know what’s going on and…the show is SUPPOSED TO BE FOR TEENAGERS…but they’re doing things that…we can’t even relate to….”
    This has been my issue with Young Adult geared media for years. It ISN’T relatable. It ISN’T realistic and…the writers are either completely warped in the head or they’re looking for ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL to throw into the script to get people talking. It’s not even about the views anymore, its about how much discussion you can get out of an episode.

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    1. Oh my gosh that is so tragic and sad. And yes – incredibly heart wrenching. I’m sorry that your friend is going through that. She’s lucky to have you as a friend. Yeah I think we need to be listening to those who are actually suffering from these mental health issues and take the quest from them. I haven’t seen the second season of river dale…what’s going on in it? I SO agree – young adult is more adult than young if you as me. It makes me sick. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Hugs and love xox

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       1. The plot for the 2nd season of Riverdale seems like it’s all over the place. I don’t think the writers were prepared for a second season, and so they decided to take everything and anything they could muster up and throw it into the script. They actually had a strip tease scene with Betty who…last time I checked was 16 years old (her character not the actress), so that was extremely troubling. It made me very uncomfortable because even though the actress is in her 20s…she is portraying a high school girl. They’ve been over sexualizing the female characters in the show a lot this season and it’s disturbing because of how old they’re SUPPOSED to be. I’m not necessarily concerned about this making girls my cousins ages think that they need to be acting this way, I’m more concerned that this is a sick and messed up way of sexualizing young girls without putting an actual minor at risk. It’s…just not okay on so many levels. I don’t know what the writers were thinking when they did that. How many hands does a script go through before it’s approved!? I really want to know. There is nothing empowering about sexualizing underaged girls. My cousins definitely did not feel empowered. We keep talking about protecting our young women by educating men about sexual assault and rape etc, but then we turn around and sexualize them on television? That’s just twisted. I was so angry when they did that, especially since the shows female characters are continuously talking about being strong, smart women. If these actresses actually thought about it what their characters are supposed to represent, I think that they would see the contrast here….but I guess they’re making money, so why does it matter to them? I’m just…really displeased with a lot of young adult media right now. They only hired actors and actresses over the age of 18 so that they could have them act out in more “risky” scenes…but the writers never think about the AGE of the character. If the writers and producers are okay with portraying minors in sexualized settings then there is something seriously wrong with that, and us viewers need to speak up and say something!

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       2. Yikes. Yeah you’re so right andrew – it’s just so twisted. And so harmful like you said, to normalize that behavior for 16 year old girls. Not okay!!! What message is that sending!?

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50. […] via 13 Reasons Why: Watch Your Thoughts — BeautyBeyondBones […]

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    1. Thanks for the link up! Hugs and love xox

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