Netflix has revised the controversial suicide scene from the Season 1 finale of 13 Reasons Why years after the show originally premiered on the streaming platform.
The original scene showed Katherine Langford’s character Hannah Baker take a razor blade to her wrists while sitting in the bathtub. Her mother later finds her body immersed in the bloody water. Many viewers criticized the showrunners and Netflix for the graphic depiction of suicide, and some argued that it could lead to imitation suicides, according to Variety.
"We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help—often for the first time," a statement from Netflix read. "As we prepare to launch season three later this summer, we’ve been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show. So on the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we’ve decided with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1."
The new scene shows Langford staring at herself in the mirror, and then cuts to her parents' reaction after finding out their daughter had taken her own life. The episode no longer contains footage of Hannah's suicide.
A number of suicide prevention organizations applauded Netflix's decision to edit the scene in a joint statement. "We support the decision 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. But this positive change will ensure that 13 Reasons Why continues to encourage open conversation about mental health and suicide prevention – while also mitigating the risk for the most vulnerable teenage viewers."
A study conducted at the University of Michigan in 2018 surveyed teenagers who had been treated for suicide-related concerns in 2017 and 2018. Among the group of 85 participants, most of whom were women, 49 had watched an episode of the show and more than half of those who had, said they identified with Hannah Baker and felt 13 Reasons Why increased the risk of them committing suicide.
