'13 Reasons Why' Edits Hannah Baker's Graphic Suicide Scene After Hearing 'Concerns' From Doctors

13 Reasons Why removed the graphic, controversial suicide scene from its first season after taking the advice of medical experts.

According to a statement from Netflix, series’ creator Brian Yorkey made the decision to “edit” the scene where protagonist Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) takes her own life after he spoke to professionals at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Netflix’s statement began by applauding the show for opening up a dialogue about “difficult issues” like depression and suicide amongst teenagers. It stated:

“We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help — often for the first time.”

Moving forward, however, the show is becoming more “mindful” about exposing its viewers to distressing and potentially triggering imagery just for the sake of having an *evocative* moment.

The streaming giant continued:

“As we prepare to launch Season 3 later this summer, we’ve been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show. So on the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we’ve decided with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1.”

Probably a smart move.

For those who haven’t watched the scene, or have watched it but completely repressed it, the scene no longer includes footage of Hannah cutting her wrists and bleeding out in the bathtub. Instead, the scene goes from Hannah looking at herself in a mirror to her parents’ reaction to her death.

In a statement to People, Yorkey said the series originally wanted to portray “the ugly, painful reality of suicide” in graphic detail so they could highlight the true “horror” of the act. However, as the show prepares to release its third season, they felt a responsibility to listen to the “concerns” from doctors at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

He explained:

“But as we ready to launch Season 3, 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.”

This is a much different outlook than Yorkey had when first season aired.

At the time, he defended Hannah’s graphic suicide scene, saying t was meant to be portrayed in such a way so no one would want to mimic the act in real life. He told The Hollywood Reporter right before the series premiered:

“We wanted to confront the fact that suicide is messy, ugly and it’s incredibly painful. There’s nothing peaceful or beautiful about it at all. It’s horrific to endure and it’s horrific for the people that a person who commits suicide leaves behind. We wanted to tell that story truthfully. And as difficult as it is to watch, it should be difficult to watch.”

But now, they’re making it slightly easier to watch — and suicide prevention groups are applauding the show’s decision.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other groups say in a joint statement:

“We support the decision to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from 13 Reasons Why. There has been much debate about the series in the medical community. But this positive change will ensure that 13 Reasons Why continues to encourage open conversation about mental health and suicide prevention – while also mitigating the risk for the most vulnerable teenage viewers.”

The third season of 13 Reasons Why is expected to be released later this year. Are U happy about this scene edit?

If you or someone you know needs support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

[Image via Netflix]