13 Reasons Why

* TRIGGER WARNING - THIS POST INCLUDES DETAIL ON UPSETTING (FICTIONAL) EVENTS*

'13 Reasons Why'. The original Netflix series that has gripped nations, on the most harrowing of subjects and a series I have just finished. I had heard a lot about it, for Twitter wouldn't let me escape it and it was a series I had originally tried to avoid. I originally thought it would hit a bit too close to home for me given my own personal experiences.

The series is based around the story of an American high school girl called Hannah Baker who commits suicide. She makes 13 cassette tapes - one episode per tape - detailing the reasons why she did what she did and the people who caused it. She sends it to the people involved, encouraging them to pass it on when they've listened. Of course, as with all TV shows, there is a whole back story that winds it's way through the lives of her school peers. I will say no more.

One thing I can say, is that this show is not an easy watch. In fact, it's by far the most difficult thing I've ever seen on a TV screen. The show seriously advises you to be cautious if anything may trigger any upsetting feelings. It is of course fictional, but some of the images that are depicted can be dangerous for some people to watch. In the final episode, the suicide of Hannah isn't shied away from. In fact, it is shown in every gruesome detail. I had to fast forward through it.

I had read a couple of blogs on the show before I watched the opening episode, one of which implied that mental illness isn't discussed as a possible reason why Hannah committed suicide.  The blog post argued that the show is "glamourising mental illness." It argued that nothing was shown about the emptiness of Hannah, or the real feelings that depression exposes, but there are 2 major flaws with that argument.

The first, is that everyone's mental illness is different. Not all who suffer depression feel empty. Some do, but some don't, everyone is unique. It is abundantly clear that Hannah is suffering in many ways as the story unfolds. Secondly, we eventually see Hannah opening up to the counsellor about how she is feeling. About how she wants it to end, and how she doesn't care anymore and that she feels nothing. The counsellor doesn't stop her leaving the room. I think this shows a very real side to what Hannah was feeling and a grave, final mistake from a minor character in the series, who turns into a major reason for what happened.

Most of all though, I took away one moral from the story. There are a lot of main characters in this series, but the main one is a guy called Clay Jensen. Clay is the "inbetweener". Not bullied or seen as weird, but not one of the "jocks" in Liberty High School. Throughout the series, there are flashes of the feelings he develops for Hannah and again, it is clear the feelings are reciprocated. Yet neither of them say anything, at least until the damage is done. The shyness of Clay and the developing insecurities of Hannah lead to both of them hiding their feelings for each other.

The moral of the story, in my opinion? Always tell people that you love them. Don't live in regret wishing you could have said something before it's too late. In reality, it may sound daunting or odd; just to come out with such a deep feeling out of nowhere, but as we learn in this series, it is a mistake you could have to live with forever. In this case, it is a mistake that costs a life.

I must urge caution if you are thinking of watching this series. I cried a few times whilst watching and it can bring some dark memories for a lot of people who have been through something similar. But if you feel confident enough, I highly recommend it. It reminds us of a very important lesson in life. That it is sacred. It is to be treasured. To love.

That's all Hannah Baker needed.