I have watched "13 Reasons Why" twice now, once by myself and the second time with my wife. It's a controversial show, no doubt. Some feel it glorifies suicide. Others feel it is important to watch so that others can see what goes through the mind of someone who is contemplating suicide.
For me, I think it was a powerful series that all students should watch. It brings up the issues of bullying in many different ways and how this type of behavior could push someone to do something as terrible as suicide.
I have been to a couple of suicide scenes while working in law enforcement. My first was a scene of a young boy who took a shotgun and shot himself in the backyard of a neighbor's home. The other was a murder / suicide of a mom who killed her own son (I believe he was around 6 years old) and then killed herself. She used a knife and it was the bloodiest crime scene I had ever witnessed. Blood was spattered all over the walls of their home's utility room and all over the floor. We had to be
careful not to walk on all the blood. I can still see these scenes in my mind. These things don't go away.
Suicide should not be an option if you are bullied or depressed. You can contact the suicide hotline for help. Call 1-800-273-8255 if you need help.
Realize too that if you commit suicide, it forces those who you leave behind with a lot to deal with and cope with.
I have personally known four people who committed suicide. One was a student at my high school. Another was a mother with postpartum depression. Another was a student from Trinity College who did some internship work at our church. Finally, there was the son of a family who attended our church who committed suicide while in the Marine Corps. Way too many people...
So please, do not consider suicide as an option. Things will get better. Call out for help.
