Season 1 Of 13 Reasons Why No Longer Includes Hannah's Graphic Suicide

13 Reasons Why has been a controversial show ever since it first hit Netflix in March 2017. And while the series definitely brings awareness to some very real issues several teenagers face in their daily lives, like depression and suicide, it has also sparked a lot of debate about the effects of displaying potentially triggering scenes to a young and susceptible audience. Right now, as Netflix gears up for Season 3, the streaming platform has determined to go back and edit Hannah's graphic suicide scene from Season 1, per the suggestions of medical professionals.


"We've heard from several young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to begin conversations about hard issues like depression and suicide and get help — often for the opening time," Netflix mentioned in a statement on Tuesday (July 16). "As we prepare to launch Season 3 later this summer, we've been considerate about the continuous debate around the show. So on the opinions of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we've determined with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers of 13 Reasons Why to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1."


As it stands now, the unedited version of the nearly three-minute-long scene is no longer obtainable to view on Netflix. Going forward, those who watch the episode will notice it's been replaced with a much shorter scene — one that doesn't show the graphic specifics of Hannah's suicide, nevertheless as an alternative cuts immediately from her crying in the resemble to her parents' heartbreaking reaction. Still, the show's creator, Brian Yorkey, wants fans and critics alike to understand that the original scene was not intended to cause any harm. "It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers feel seen and heard and encourage empathy in all who viewed it, much because the best-selling book did before us," he mentioned. "Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in season one was to tell the truth about the horror of such an act and ensure no one would ever aspire to emulate it."


Yorkey then went on to explain why they came to the conclusion that they did, and ultimately, it was determined that the scene in question wasn't worth the risk and wasn't crucial to the show's overarching message. "As we willing to launch season three, we have heard concerns about the scene from Dr. Christine Moutier at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others, and have agreed with Netflix to re-edit it," Yorkey explained. "No one scene is more critical than the life of the show and its message that we must take better care of each other. We believe this edit will assist the show do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially susceptible young viewers."


In the past, showrunners have made some changes right after obtaining public backlash, although not to this extent. About a month right following the series premiered, Netflix added a warning card before the very first episode. Since then, the streaming platform added more warning cards, alerting viewers of any triggering content beforehand. And prior to the premiere episode of Season 2, some of the show's stars appeared on the screen reminding viewers that 13 Reasons Why is a fictional series while urging them to seek help if they require it. The show's website, 13reasonswhy.Info, also lists a few resources for people who are struggling themselves.


Overall, editing Hannah's suicide out of Season 1 is just another way to make sure that the show is helping its audience, rather than displaying controversial and graphic scenes that could have severe repercussions on their health. And thus for now, the decision has been exceptionally well-received. The American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American School Counselor Association, Dr. Helen Hsu of Stanford University, advocacy sort Mental Health America, the Trevor Project, and Dr. Rebecca Hedrick of Cedars-Sinai released a joint statement: "We support the choice to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from 13 Reasons Why. There has been much debate about the series in the medical community. Yet this positive change will make sure that 13 Reasons Why continues to provoke open conversation about mental health and suicide prevention — while also mitigating the risk for the most weak teenage viewers."