Part 8: The Controversy — Do These Films Help or Harm?

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This is the question that has haunted every filmmaker, showrunner, and writer who has ever told a story about suicide: does showing it on screen save lives or cost them?

The answer, as you might expect, is complicated.

The Two Effects: Werther vs. Papageno

Researchers have identified two opposing effects of media portrayals of suicide:

The Werther Effect (Harmful)

Named after Goethe's 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, in which the protagonist shoots himself over unrequited love. The novel was banned in several European countries after a wave of copycat suicides among young men who dressed like Werther and used the same method.

The Werther Effect refers to the phenomenon where media depictions of suicide increase suicide rates, particularly when:

The method is shown in detail
The suicide is romanticized or glamorized
The person is portrayed sympathetically
The act is presented as a solution to problems

Research: A meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE found that media coverage of suicide is associated with a significant increase in suicides in the weeks following publication. The effect is strongest when graphic details are provided.

The Papageno Effect (Protective)

Named after the character in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute, who is talked out of suicide by three spirits who show him the beauty of life.

The Papageno Effect refers to the phenomenon where media portrayals of suicide prevention and recovery can reduce suicide rates, particularly when:

The story shows someone overcoming a suicidal crisis
Help-seeking behavior is depicted
The consequences of suicide on others are shown
Alternatives to suicide are presented

Research: A study in the British Medical Journal found that media stories about people who coped with suicidal crises were associated with a decrease in suicides.

The 13 Reasons Why Case Study

The release of 13 Reasons Why in March 2017 created the largest natural experiment in the history of media and suicide research.

The Research

Study 1 (Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2019): Found a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth aged 10–17 in April 2017 (the month after the show's release). This translated to approximately 195 additional deaths above what would have been expected.
Study 2 (Social Science & Medicine, 2020): Found that the show was associated with a significant increase in internet searches for "how to commit suicide" and "suicide methods."
Study 3 (JAMA Internal Medicine, 2018): Found that the show was associated with a significant increase in calls to suicide prevention hotlines — suggesting it also prompted help-seeking.

The Debate

Critics argue:

The show's graphic depiction of Hannah's suicide method was irresponsible and directly contributed to copycat deaths.
The show romanticized suicide by showing Hannah "getting revenge" from beyond the grave.
The show ignored established media guidelines for responsible suicide depiction.

Defenders argue:

The show started a necessary conversation about teen suicide that adults had been avoiding.
The increase in hotline calls shows the show prompted help-seeking.
Teens were already aware of suicide — the show just made adults pay attention.
Correlation is not causation — other factors (social media, economic stress) may have contributed to the increase.

Netflix's Response

After years of criticism and research findings:

Netflix edited out the graphic suicide scene in July 2019
The show added trigger warnings and crisis resources before each episode
Netflix commissioned its own research study on the show's impact

Media Guidelines for Responsible Depiction

Based on decades of research, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Reporting on Suicide (reportingonsuicide.org) have published guidelines for how suicide should be depicted in media:

DO:

Include crisis resources at the beginning and end of the program
Show help-seeking behavior — characters who reach out and get help
Portray the complexity of suicide — it's never caused by a single event
Show recovery — people who were suicidal and got better
Use responsible language — "died by suicide" not "committed suicide"
Show the impact on others — the grief and devastation left behind

DON'T:

Don't show the method in detail — this is the strongest predictor of copycat behavior
Don't romanticize suicide — no beautiful death scenes, no peaceful endings
Don't present suicide as a solution — it should never be shown as "solving" problems
Don't use sensational headlines — avoid "suicide epidemic" framing
Don't blame a single person or event — suicide is always multi-causal
Don't show the body — this can be traumatizing and is unnecessary

How the Films in This Series Measure Up

Film/Show	Graphic Method?	Romanticized?	Shows Recovery?	Resources Included?	Grade
It's a Wonderful Life	No	No	Yes	No (1946)	A
Ordinary People	No	No	Yes	No (1980)	A
The Virgin Suicides	Implied	Somewhat	No	No (1999)	B
Girl, Interrupted	No	No	Yes	No (1999)	A
Perks of Being a Wallflower	No	No	Yes	No (2012)	A
Silver Linings Playbook	No	No	Yes	No (2012)	A
Manchester by the Sea	No	No	No	No (2016)	B+
A Silent Voice	No	No	Yes	No (2016)	A
13 Reasons Why (S1)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	D
13 Reasons Why (edited)	No	Somewhat	Partial	Yes	B
BoJack Horseman	No	No	Partial	No	A
After Life	No	No	Yes	No	A
Euphoria	No	No	Partial	Yes	B+

The Responsibility Question

Who is responsible for the impact of suicide depictions on screen?

The Creator's Position

Many creators argue that art should not be censored — that the responsibility lies with the viewer (or the parent) to decide what to watch. They point to the Papageno Effect as evidence that stories about suicide can save lives.

The Researcher's Position

Researchers argue that the Werther Effect is real and measurable — and that creators have a moral obligation to follow established guidelines. They point to the 13 Reasons Why research as evidence that irresponsible depiction costs lives.

The Middle Ground

Most experts now advocate for a middle position:

Stories about suicide should be told — silence is not the answer
But they should be told responsibly, following established guidelines
Creators should consult with mental health professionals during development
Trigger warnings and crisis resources should be mandatory
Graphic depictions of method should be avoided

The Future of Suicide in Media

The conversation is evolving:

More consultation: Studios are increasingly hiring mental health consultants to review scripts.
Better resources: Streaming platforms now include crisis hotlines and content warnings.
Diverse stories: More stories about suicide from marginalized communities — LGBTQ+ youth, veterans, Indigenous peoples.
Hope-centered narratives: A shift from "suicide as drama" to "recovery as drama."
Viewer agency: Tools like "Does the Dog Die?" allow viewers to check for triggering content before watching.

What's Next?

In Part 9, we compile a complete filmography of 50+ movies and web series about suicide, organized by region, year, and streaming availability.

Next Part: The Complete Filmography — 50+ Movies & Shows →

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