Netflix removes controversial 13 Reasons Why scene – and it ignited a debate about mental health

Netflix has removed a controversial scene from 13 Reasons Why in which a teenage girl kills herself, two years after it first appeared.

The streaming service released a statement saying that after consulting with professions and on the advice of medical experts, they decided to remove the scene.

Brian Yorkey, show creator wrote: “It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers feel seen and heard and encourage empathy in all who viewed it, as much as the bestselling book did before us.”

Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in Season 1 was to tell the truth about the horror of such an act, and make sure no one would ever wish to emulate it.

But as we ready to launch season three, we have heard concerns about the scene from Dr Christine Moutier at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others, and have agreed with Netflix to re-edit it.

No one scene is more important than the life of the show, and its message that we must take better care of each other. We believe this edit will help the show do the most good for the most [people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers.

Many praised the decision.

And said it can be "triggering" to view such things.

"I am very happy to hear that the scene has been removed."

Some people said the scene should have been removed when people expressed concerns two years ago.

Others disagreed, arguing that the scene is "powerful."

One person said it's "disrespectful" towards people who suffer from mental health issues or have been through similar feelings, to "censor" the show.

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