Netflix Series Prompts Community Conversations on Suicide

The Institute of Living hosted several events to screen episodes of the hit Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why’ and conducted town hall discussions in early 2018. The show captured the attention of adolescents and adults alike for its graphic themes, which include suicide, sexual assault, substance abuse and bullying.

The expert panels included Dr. Hank Schwartz, Laura Saunders, PsyD, ABPP, Pat Rehmer from the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network and members of the community.

Schwartz and Saunders stressed the importance of open dialogue between parents and their children about difficult topics such as suicide, sexual assault, bullying and substance abuse.