WRDSB reminds parents of available resources to accompany watching 13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why is back with its second season on Netflix, and Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is reminding parents of available resources to help them support youth viewers.

"Some of the content could be potentially triggering for some teens who are more vulnerable at this time," says the WRDSB release.

The drama was originally based on the novel, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and it revolves around a high school student who received tapes from a friend who died by suicide. The tapes are supposed to detail the reasons for why she took her life.

Last May the school board released a guide following the first season's launch, which highlighted a number of concerns about the series, from graphic depictions of suicide and violence to "negative portrayals of adults."

Parents are reminded to support their children should they choose to watch the series, either by watching it with them or "clarify misinformation" through open conversations with them afterward.

Response from Netflix

Netflix also has its own discussion guide and series, launched in response to some criticisms about the series not having adequate warnings about the content before each episode.

Accessible by 13ReasonsWhy.info, the discussion series has videos of the cast members stepping out of character to talk about some issues explored in the drama.

The guide is a document that outlines topics like sexual assault and depression present in the series and outlines warning signs and ways to help.

"The hope is that the steps we're taking now will help support more meaningful conversations as Season tworolls out later this year," Netflix said in a statement in March ofthis year.

WRDSB also pointed to a virtual toolkit created by Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, a non-profit organization based in Minnesota, USA.

"Using the toolkit and resources developed will help to encourage conversations, identify those at risk and prevent unexpected tragedies," said the executive director Dan Reidenberg on the website.

Season two was released on May 18 with all 13 episodes available for streaming via Netflix.