While reviews are mixed on how much influence a controversial Netflix program might have on youth who watch it, students in Cochrane agree it has sparked conversation, even causing a few to ask what resources are available to Cochrane youth.
Rocky View Schools psychologist Chris Pawluk, said the overall impact on students in the division by the series 13 Reasons Why seems to be low. The episodic series is a graphic depiction of suicide, bullying and sexual assault.
“I think it’s a TV show and we have to be mindful of our media consumption. This is a show that addresses some serious issues that have a lot of emotional content and they don’t address it in a way that I would address it as a psychologist,” said Pawluk.
While some Cochrane High students echoed Pawluk’s statements saying the show is “problematic” they also agreed it does give an opportunity to start having open conversations about issues surrounding youth.
“I feel like the show went a little overboard and the way it depicted suicide was unrealistic,” said Erin McClure, 17, Cochrane High student.
“(But) I think it definitely opens conversation for suicide and sexual assault – you realized (sexual assault) can happen to anybody.”
In response to the release of the controversial series, Cochrane High offered parents and students who watched the show access to resources.
“It’s something that is out there,” said Ed Pohill, principal at Cochrane High.
“It wasn’t a ‘hey go watch this’ – it was for if parents watched this and had concerns and questions, they can talk to the guidance counsellor … we are not encouraging people to watch or not watch.”
While some of the senior high students said they understand the series was just a TV show, the older students voiced their concerns about the possible impacts of the show on the junior high students and the lack of activities for teenagers in Cochrane.
“I don’t think schools are taking a big enough step – they are not putting enough of a message out there offering help,” McClure said.
“We need more resources outside of school, too.”
Cochrane High School student Dione Wearmouth agreed that Cochrane is a community that needs to focus on its youth.
“They need to have more for youth … I just turned 18 and the only thing fun to do here is go to the bars,” Wearmouth said.
“This is not a place for activities,” McClure echoed.
The Cochrane High School seniors wanted to tell students struggling through high school that “it gets better.”
“You need to focus on yourself … and focus on who you surround yourself with,” McClure said.
“After this period of sadness there is so much freedom and beauty,” Wearmouth said. “It gets better.”
