First published through The Paris News on June 12, 2017. The article can be found on their website at http://theparisnews.com/opinion/article_c9af8a18-4f8d-11e7-946e-23c0ab1ab38a.html

Over this past weekend I finished the first season of the TV series titled “13 Reasons Why.”

I began watching the show when it was first released. However, I stopped watching it a few episodes in because of how depressing it felt to watch. After hearing so many people rave on about how good the series and book are, though, I decided to continue watching the series and finished it Sunday.

The show is about a teenage high school student named Hannah Baker who killed herself. Before her suicide, she voice-recorded 13 tapes depicting different people in her high school who had the chance to stop her from it, just by being there for her.

Mental health advocates are bewildered by the idea of this show, and have implored people not to watch this series.

Dan Reidenberg, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education executive director, told Yahoo7 News he was greatly concerned that young people would over-identify with Baker in the series and that they may see more suicides because of the show.However, Sarah Fader with Psychology Today said people should watch the series. She listed 13 reasons why you should watch “13 Reasons Why.”

Among the reasons she said the series is worth watching, is people who don’t deal with depression can learn from the series. Though “13 Reasons” may be triggering to watch, she said that is one of the points of the show. Fader said the show means to show how taboo the topic of suicide is.

“I do not recommend watching this show if you are in a depressed or suicidal state,” said Fader in her article. “That isn’t safe or advisable.”

Fader is right. If you are thinking about watching this series and not prone to depression, I would highly recommend it. Though it was incredibly sad to watch because so many teens go through so much, there is a hidden message behind the entire first season.

A character in the show, Clay Jensen, said it has to get better.

“The way we treat each other and look out for each other — it has to get better somehow,” said Jensen in the show.

The way we treat each other, whether we’re in high school or in the office, shouldn’t be to put each other down. In the song “The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” Mercy Me said it impeccably: “It may be a simple ‘How do you do’/The kind of thing that could pull them through.” Simply telling Baker someone cared, could have prevented her from committing suicide. We should all look out for one another and not be against each other.

If anyone struggles with any mental illness, reach out to others. No matter how much you think people don’t care and feel like they don’t want to talk, they do care and will talk.

If you or anyone you know may be suicidal, contact the Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. People are available there 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help.