Study finds 13 Reasons Why caused major spike in suicide searches

Terms such as 'suicide hotline number' spiked

13 reasons why netflix

by Carl Smith |
Published on

A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine's journal shows internet searches for suicide-related terms spiked following the release of Netflix series 13 Reasons Why back in March.

The show sees protagonist Hannah Baker - played by Katherine Langford - commit suicide; something JAMA International Medicine suggest could be in direct corrolation with the surge in searches in the topic.

Dylan Minette as Clay in 13 Reasons Why
Dylan Minette as Clay in 13 Reasons Why ©Netflix

In the 19 days after the show launched, searches majorly spiked with 'how to commit suicide' increasing by 26 percent, 'commit suicide' by 18 percent and 'how to kill yourself' by 9 percent.

'Suicide hotline number' searches also increased by 21 percent, with 'teen suicide' by a massive 34 percent.

Researchers claim it's 'unclear' whether or not these searches led to suicide attempts, but argue that 'suicide search trends are correlated with actual suicides, media coverage of suicides concur with increased suicide attempts, and searches for precise suicide methods increased after the series’ release.'

director tom mccarthy and actress katherine langford film 13 Reasons WHy
Director Tom McCarthy with Katherine Langford, filming 13 Reasons Why ©Netflix

Meanwhile President of the Child Mind Institute Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz told NBC News the 'cost-benefit ratio [for 13 Reasons Why] isn't worth it.'

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