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Netflix axes 13 Reasons Why's graphic suicide scene two years on

This article discusses teen suicide and may be distressing for some readers.

Netflix has edited out the graphic suicide scene that prompted a wave of controversy about teen drama series 13 Reasons Why. 

Over two years on from it's debut, the detailed portrayal of lead character Hannah taking her own life has been drastically altered ahead of the show's third season. 

Producers are citing advice from mental health professionals as the motivation for the unprecedented move. 

"As we prepare to launch season three later this summer, we've been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show," Netflix said in a statement. 

"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 one."

The original scene lasted nearly three minutes and depicted Hannah's self-inflicted death in grisly detail. Critics, parents and medical professionals both locally and abroad immediately raised concerns about the show's treatment of sucide, fearing copycat behaviour. 

The showrunners claimed their "creative intent" in producing the confronting scene was to "tell the truth about the horror of such an act and make sure no one would ever wish to emulate it". 

Earlier this year, a UK mother pleaded with parents to prevent their children from watching the show after her 12-year-old daughter took her own life soon after watching it. 

"Jessica was watching this show with her friends and listed six reasons why she wanted to die," the grieving mother told The Mirror.

"It should be banned, because my daughter watched it and it gives children the idea to self-harm." 

In 2017, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said he was worried 13 Reasons Why was "glamourising suicide", and not dealing realistically with mental health issues. 

It was classified as RP18 by the New Zealand Classification Office for its graphic depictions of sucide and rape.

The updated version of the episode now shows Hannah contemplating her life in the mirror before the scene jumps directly to her parent's reaction to her suicide. 

Netflix is also reportedly planning to revoke the scene from any third party platforms such as YouTube or any pirated clips. 

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