By Ashley Wiebe

School board reacts to controversial Netflix series

Apr 28, 2017 | 5:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A local school district is reaching out to parents, giving them information about a popular, but controversial Netflix series.

The series, ‘13 Reasons Why’ is based on a best-selling novel.

The work of fiction is about a teenager who dies from suicide and leaves a series of cassette tapes behind. Each tape is about one person who she says played a role in why she took her own life.

The show appears to glamorize the idea of death while touching on some sensitive subjects many teens face while growing up, making it seem that much more real.

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Schools across the country have been warning teachers and parents that the show contains sensitive subject matter.

Medicine Hat School District 76 is now reaching out to parents and offering supports around how they can talk to their kids about the topic of suicide.

Tracy Hensel with SD76 said it’s creating a lot of discussions in schools and the district decided they needed to take action.

Together with Alberta Health Services, they’ve posted information for parents and educators on the district’s website.

The document discusses the show and its subject matter. It also includes different resources they can access locally if they notice any changes in behaviour from their children.

“I think our purpose is to put the information out there so parents are aware, to be paying attention to what children are watching and then to be watching for any signs,” Hensel said over the phone from Edmonton. “We want them to know that there’s resources and we want them to know that teachers and administrators are there and are people they can go to. We do care.”

Alberta Health Services has mental health consultants in all of SD76 schools, from kindergarten to grade 12.

They’re there to help kids and talk with them while promoting positive mental health.

Coralee Rahn with AHS said they wanted to reach out to parents to they can be better informed as to what their kids might be seeing and watching.

She said it’s important parents aren’t scared to have these tough conversations with their children and if they aren’t sure how to start them, to know there’s someone they can ask.

“Sometimes there’s the fear if we talk about things, then that could give them ideas,” Rahn said. “The reality is, they’re already seeing this through social media and through other communications, with their friends.”

SD76 said they’ll also be sending a letter home with students next week, letting parents know about the show, the subject matter and where to go for help.