Mum’s warning over Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why after girl, 12, hanged herself leaving list of reasons she wanted to die
The TV subscription giant defended the show, saying it covers a 'critically important topic' with sensitivity
A DEVASTATED mum wants the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why to be banned after her 12-year-old daughter hanged herself leaving a list of reasons she wanted to die.
Jessica Scatterson took her own life two days before her 13th birthday in April 2017 - weeks after the controversial drama was aired.
"It should be banned, because my daughter watched it and it gives children the idea to self-harm."
And she added: "Its intentions are to raise suicide awareness but I believe it encourages young people to commit suicide.
"All Jessica's friends were messaging each other discussing the series. Parents should be warned not to let their children watch it."
Jessica was found hanged at her family home in Bewsey, near Warrington.
Paramedics found she had the letters RIP written on her heel in pen and cut marks to her leg.
An inquest heard the 12-year-old had uploaded posts referring to suicide in the days before her death and had also exchanged "unpleasant" messages with pals online.
Her friends also told police she had previously self-harmed, the hearing was told.
Its intentions are to raise suicide awareness but I believe it encourages young people to commit suicide... Parents should be warned not to let their children watch it
Mum Rachael Warburton
Brave mum Rachael is now backing The Sun Online's You're Not Alone suicide prevention campaign, which aims to break down the stigma of mental health issues.
The care support worker from Leigh, Greater Manchester, said: "Suicide is a big problem and needs to be discussed. I fully support this campaign."
Jessica had been living with her dad following a custody row, but had met with her mum just weeks before her death.
Rachael previously told The Sun Online she was left emotionally wrecked by their tragic final meeting after her daughter said she was being bullied online.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Netflix hit 13 Reasons Why launched on Netflix in March 2017.
The series got a 15 age rating, apart from four episodes declared 18, including the finale when the central character takes her own life.
Netflix has defended the show.
A spokesman said: "Our hearts go out to this family. It is a critically important topic and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly."
But Labour MP Stephen Doughty told the Mirror that Netflix was "not doing enough".
“We should be doing all we can to protect and safeguard children and young people from suicide narratives whether online or on streaming TV services," he said.