Should watching '13 Reasons Why' be compulsory in schools?

Netflix’s latest teen drama has been widely criticised since its release.

Last week, health organisation Headspace released a warning for the shows' 'graphic and confronting imagery inclusive of suicide method and means'.

Kristen Douglas, National Manager of headspace School Support said the show "exposes viewers to risky suicide content and may lead to a distressing reaction by the viewer particularly if the audience is children and young people."

RELATED: Headspace Responds To '13 Reasons Why'

The show focuses on 17-year-old Hannah Baker from Liberty High School, who commits suicide seemingly out of the blue. She leaves behind a series of 13 cassette tapes, each addressing 13 people whose actions contributed to her choice to take her own life, and she sends the tapes to them for reflection.

While the contents are confronting, some parents have decided to use the series as an opportunity to open the communication lines with their children. 

Father of five Alan Stokes writes about his experience in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Admitting that he was torn between the warnings and his 15-year-old son’s interest in the show, he asks: “Is it better to be open about how suicide occurs or leave it to the teenage imagination?”

Alan continues saying, “We could have tried to ban our children from watching it. We could have joined the outrage.

“Instead we have tried to turn the show into a positive: an educational tool and conversation starter."

RELATED: Netflix Responds To '13 Reasons Why' Backlash Amid Suicide Concerns

Similarly, Kate Walsh who plays Olivia Baker, the grieving mum in the show thinks 13 Reasons Why should be shown in schools.

"Parents, teachers, and students [should] watch this and have conversations about sexual assault, about bullying, about LGBTQ issues, race issues, gender issues, suicide, depression, and mental health, because largely in our country as we see now, it's still in the shroud of shame or silence," Kate said in an interview with The Huffington Post. "So to really see it for what it is and talk about it and get people help, [we can] prevent it."

Netflix responded to the criticism in a statement saying they stand by the program, which was produced by Selena Gomez.

"We have been mindful of both the show’s intense themes and the intended audience. We support the unflinching vision of the show’s creators, who engaged the careful advice of medical professionals in the scriptwriting process.”

What do you think? Have you watched 13 Reasons Why With your Teens?

If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.

Lifeline 13 11 14 

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

eHeadspace 1800 650 890

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467