WOW! In just a week’s time, Thirteen Reasons Why has become the most watched series on Netflix of all time. That’s a whole lot of teens watching and talking about the same thing at one time. The internet has been a buzz about whether or not they should be watching this show. The show is raw and can be VERY TRIGGERING to an adolescent that struggles with any of the content matter, not to mention the mature nature of the show (language, bullying, sex, rape, and suicide).
Regardless of our thoughts of the show, teens are watching it and we (adults) must be prepared to help them process the issues addressed in the series. This guide is simply that, a guide. We do not have an agenda of writing a comprehensive guide for this complex show and the complex issues it strives to address. We will also give suggestions on how to handle to the more sensitive moments of the show to reduce risk to the students watching or talking about it.
There is a leader’s guide that you will hopefully find useful. This particular guide will explore the show from a faith-based perspective but you need not adhere to a particular faith tradition to use the guide. We also attempted to provide solid clinic information to direct you and the student towards professional help if needed.
The authors are Melissa Rau, a long time youth ministry veteran and Chris Schaffner, also a youth ministry veteran and counselor. We will release these as they are completed. We’d love your feedback so don’t hesitate to contact us with your thoughts or questions.
Thirteen Reasons Why Leader’s Guide
Check out our RESOURCE PAGE for discussion guides for each episode. New guides are uploaded every other day.
conversations on the fringe 
June 21, 2017 at 11:20 am
This is a powerful story that shows every little thing that a high school student could do could effect the outcome of another teenager killing themselves. It could be considered controversial that it addresses suicide in teens. I think social media is difficult for teens to begin with, to fit in. If a teen new what we adults know, they would better understand high school is only a stepping stone in life, and there is a bigger picture to life after high school. It is a good show to watch with teens to help them with not bullying or thinking of suicide.