Online search for 'suicide' soars after Netflix teen drama airs – research

[Okjoek]

Source:

https://www.rt.com/viral/398126-netflix-show-suicide-search-surge/

I've never watched the series in question or read the novel it's based on, but the show titled "13 Reasons Why" has apparently caused a spike in suicide related Google web searches because of its depiction of a girl who takes her own life after a series of demoralizing circumstances.

 

Quotes from the article

"After all 13 episodes were released on March 31, online searches for suicide and related terms spiked by 19 percent, says the research by San Diego State University published in The Journal of the American Medical Association."

 

"The 19 days after the premiere, Google trends showed between 900,000 to 1.5 million more queries on “how to commit suicide,”“commit suicide” and “how to kill yourself.” People were also looking for “suicide prevention” and “suicide hotlines.” "

 

"“The show may have inspired many to act on their suicidal thoughts by seeking out information on how to commit suicide,” says John Ayers, a computational epidemiologist who led the research."

 

 

 

 

My opinion:

Personally I think suicide should only ever be considered if someone is terminally ill and in constant pain. There are horrors in this world that force me to never completely discount suicide as much as I would like to. As far as Depression among the newer generation I like the video Thoughty2 did on YouTube...

...Basically he claims one of the biggest problems is technology: most specifically social media and smartphones which cause a sort of diluted sense of accomplishment via dopamine releases provided within social media use. It kind of makes me glad that I wasn't permitted to get my first smartphone until after I graduated High School. I also think the economy is to blame and the lack of opportunities. Everything is suffering as a result, symptoms are seen in the birthrate and number of young people still living with their parents. As I type this I'm in the process of securing my first part-time job and I honestly don't know when I'll ever be able to leave our family to start my own. I don't know if or when I'll ever be able to seek a relationship either, it's just not affordable. It's easy to see why others could be depressed I think.

[YedZed]

Fuck, I just got a false sense of accomplishment from reading that.

*depression ensues for no other reason*

[christianled59]

Ooor the searches went up because people decided to do more research on suicide as a result of the show.

 

Anyways, aren't the discussions around this show way over by now?

[captain_to_fire]

Just so you know, 13 Reasons Why kinda sucks. 

[Okjoek]

4 minutes ago, hey_yo_ said:

Just so you know, 13 Reasons Why kinda sucks. 

That's alright, I never intended to watch it anyways.

[vanished]

30 minutes ago, christianled59 said:

Ooor the searches went up because people decided to do more research on suicide as a result of the show.

 

Anyways, aren't the discussions around this show way over by now?

Possibly, but

Quote

"The 19 days after the premiere, Google trends showed between 900,000 to 1.5 million more queries on “how to commit suicide,”“commit suicide” and “how to kill yourself.” People were also looking for “suicide prevention” and “suicide hotlines.” "

leads me to think it was for other reasons than just sudden curiosity

[christianled59]

1 minute ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Possibly, but

leads me to think it was for other reasons than just sudden curiosity

Ah true, I overlooked the what they actually searched.

[captain_to_fire]

22 minutes ago, Okjoek said:

That's alright, I never intended to watch it anyways.

It's on the same boat why 50 Shades of Grey sucks. While 50 shades focused on condoning abusive relationships and erroneously stereotyped people into BDSM, 13 Reasons Why simply lacked the understanding of mental illnesses and it lacked true representation on why people think of suicidal thoughts. 

[christianled59]

13 minutes ago, hey_yo_ said:

It's on the same boat why 50 Shades of Grey sucks. While 50 shades focused on condoning abusive relationships and erroneously stereotyped people into BDSM, 13 Reasons Why simply lacked the understanding of mental illnesses and it lacked true representation on why people think of suicidal thoughts. 

Kink doesn't equal abuse. In fact she left him the moment it wasn't okay for her. It was consentual and they literally wrote out what was okay and not okay; that doesn't sound like abuse to me.

 

I know plenty of women who are into the sub/dom thing, that doesn't mean they are into being abused in relationships. It's definitely not my cup of tea, but it's not abuse. 

[Crossbred]

Just imo, all "Netflix original" content is garbage.

[mr moose]

Suicide and depression are nasty, the best advice on the whole topic is to treat any information or opinions you have as being very dangerous and should be expressed only if you are aware they could have the exact opposite effect you intend.

 

Outside of that there is so much BS information on the net it would be hard to conclude anything as being the "likely" cause, unless you have worked in the mental health industry for the better part of a decade.  

 

 

[christianled59]

2 hours ago, Crossbred said:

Just imo, all "Netflix original" content is garbage.

*ahem*

House of Cards.

Black Mirror.

[captain_to_fire]

4 hours ago, Crossbred said:

Just imo, all "Netflix original" content is garbage.

Do you actually have a Netflix subscription or you're watching Netflix originals from other online services other than Netflix? 

Spoiler

Some of the few

[Starberyl]

Time for some unpopular opinions. I feel as if the modern genre of dramas surrounding the milennial generatimon feels exaggerated, overdone and not to mention, incredibly shallow to those that have experienced near-death suicide attempts, constant suicide thoughts as well as depression. Most of these shows tend to follow the exact same cliche of students getting "bullied," harassed, molested or quite pathetically enough, "pressured by society" or in tumblr terms, "by men." To refer to post above, Black Mirror often shows demoralizing aspects of life. The show depicts scenes of similar nature that capture despair, anxiety, depression and even topics that shatters our sense of security, more or so a lot better than these feigning-couch topics.

 

Arguably enough, there are more sources of despair that would drive people to suicide in comparison to the scenarios explored often by these platitudes of what depression looks like. Personally, my most depressing episodes of my life involves being in University, where the labour comes at a price especially when the majority of the student body is bitter, sexist women that aren't afraid to demonize the opposite gender even when I am standing a feet away from them. The experience alone was overwhelming negative, ostracizing and especially degrading when you're demonized merely for taking interest in passions and expressions that are deemed problematic. That is what you get for attending an art college in a Liberal province like BC, especially as some apolitical guy that just wants to get into the games industry. My disdain most likely derives from hearing these unattractive women babble about shows and dramas like "13 Reasons Why." 

 

That's just my opinion though, these shows also never really empowered me because I just don't see myself in the shoes of an emotional *female* teenager, especially when the culprits are always the same, being handsome jocks and their sly thots. 

[MyName13]

4 hours ago, Crossbred said:

Just imo, all "Netflix original" content is garbage.

Stranger things?

[Starberyl]

6 minutes ago, MyName13 said:

Stranger things?

Ah, my significant other suggested we watch that series together, I wonder how it is. Sherlock has been my go-to for the longest while especially after I lost interest in Dr. Who post Catherine Tate.

[RagnarokDel]

7 hours ago, hey_yo_ said:

Just so you know, 13 Reasons Why kinda sucks. 

suicide kinda sucks too.

[captain_to_fire]

1 minute ago, RagnarokDel said:

suicide kinda sucks too.

Uhm, I never said suicide is good. I was referring to the show "13 reasons why" and its terrible representation of mental health problems. 

[captain_to_fire]

7 hours ago, christianled59 said:

Kink doesn't equal abuse. In fact she left him the moment it wasn't okay for her. It was consentual and they literally wrote out what was okay and not okay; that doesn't sound like abuse to me.

 

I know plenty of women who are into the sub/dom thing, that doesn't mean they are into being abused in relationships. It's definitely not my cup of tea, but it's not abuse. 

I'm pretty sure the relationship between young Christian Grey and cougar Mrs. Robinson is quite an example of an abusive relationship. Also, due to poor character development in the Anastasia character, whenever Christian will ask her to have sex is an example of thinly disguised coercion. 

 

That's why the books by EL James sparked an outrage even to people into BDSM. I can say this because unfortunately, I bought the three books back in 2012 oit of curiosity. 

[Daroll]

8 hours ago, Okjoek said:

As I type this I'm in the process of securing my first part-time job and I honestly don't know when I'll ever be able to leave our family to start my own. I don't know if or when I'll ever be able to seek a relationship either, it's just not affordable. It's easy to see why others could be depressed I think.

So relatable, I always thought depression is something that only older people can get for whatever reasons and all teenagers are exaggerating (which is sometimes true) but now im 22 I live with my parents, had a gf for 2 years which did not worked out but back then i had time, maybe not much money but time to get to know new people etc. now Im at work most of the time (which is IT helpdesk and i feel like Im not made for this job really) and im so sucked out of life when i come back to home and dont really go out often to even meet new people i usually just spend time with my long time friends on the weekends, this lifestyle makes me feel just plain sad, i would like to move out, be independent but i dont earn this much money so im just stuck here waiting for god knows what and reminding myself how good it was couple years back, so yeah i also can see why others could be depressed, me myself i try to fight it, might say 'successfully' for now

 

9 hours ago, Okjoek said:

Basically he claims one of the biggest problems is technology: most specifically social media and smartphones which cause a sort of diluted sense of accomplishment via dopamine releases provided within social media use.

Well it depends on how you use, if you dont post things without thinking before it could be helpful for example when it comes to talking with friends without putting so much time in this, getting to place of meeting and going back to home for example. You can use it even to meet new people online if you're resistant to rejection (but this applies both online and offline ) but other than that i aggree, it could be cause of some depressing thoughts especially for women (not getting as much likes or whatever reactions under your photos as your friends etc.)
 

[Okjoek]

3 hours ago, Daroll said:

So relatable, I always thought depression is something that only older people can get for whatever reasons and all teenagers are exaggerating (which is sometimes true) but now im 22 I live with my parents, had a gf for 2 years which did not worked out but back then i had time, maybe not much money but time to get to know new people etc. now Im at work most of the time (which is IT helpdesk and i feel like Im not made for this job really) and im so sucked out of life when i come back to home and dont really go out often to even meet new people i usually just spend time with my long time friends on the weekends, this lifestyle makes me feel just plain sad, i would like to move out, be independent but i dont earn this much money so im just stuck here waiting for god knows what and reminding myself how good it was couple years back, so yeah i also can see why others could be depressed, me myself i try to fight it, might say 'successfully' for now

Yeah I try to remind myself that my spirit is too powerful for any depression. I still suffer from anxiety though, like IDK if I'm made for the job I'm going into either and it just makes me worry to no end. Atleast because I'm with my Mom still I'm only supplementary income so what I'm not going into expenses I'm going to save up relentlessly. Being the minimalist person I am helps. As long as I got my computer/phone for communication. I'm probably even going to hold off another PC generation for Zen2, Navi, Volta etc.

[MadyTehWolfie]

The teen angst is strong lol

[Ryujin2003]

12 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Possibly, but

leads me to think it was for other reasons than just sudden curiosity

Probably because the thought was glorified by this TV show. Everyone wants a way to leave an impression behind... 15 minutes of Fame.

[BuckGup]

Causation and correlation. Don't get them confused. Also suicide rates where higher in 1985 than they are now so to blame a poor economy or smartphones and technology is pretty stupid.

[paddy-stone]

I could also offer an opinion that maybe the searches on suicide are done by people that have already had the thoughts to do it anyway, just that they want to research the way to get it done properly. By that I mean, to prevent possibly ending up in a paralysed or vegetative state instead. I have no problem with letting people end their lives of that's what they want to do, it's not our place to say what they should or shouldn't do... I also think that they shouldn't decide anything though before properly considering the alternatives and trying to overcome any difficulties in their lives.

Speaking as someone that lives in a chronic state of pain, and loss of mobility. I have had thoughts like this, it's hard not to when you feel that your life has suffered a major complication. I would say the deciding factor on not going through with these thoughts (for me at least), is to not do that to my family... they don't deserve to have to live with thoughts that maybe they had contributed to it in some way, or even just feeling sad at family parties and get togethers etc.

I am glad that there are hotlines for people to speak to someone that is thinking like this. I also think that in a lot of cases the person feeling suicidal is probably a victim of circumstance, like loss of job etc. I wish there was something that could be done to alleviate some of the pressure on these people... even here in the UK, unemployment benefit is not enough to live on, despite what the government think, and in my opinion could make things worse for people with their barbaric rules that seem to exist only to torment people further. You can get "sanctioned" through no fault of your own at all, and then you lose some of that pittance or even worse lose that benefit altogether. Yes, you can be told that you are actually getting no benefit at all. I won't go on further, but just saying that I wouldn't be suprised if things like this contribute to suicide.