When those in a high school in Oakland County, Michigan watched the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, the premise and themes it focused on hit close to home as the school had also lost one of their students to suicide back in 2013.

While the show has been criticized, many feel it accurately and excellently portrayed present day issues that teens face today including bullying, body-shaming, social media use, abusive relationships, as well as consent and sexual violence, and even the increased risks associated with having access to weapons such as guns in the home. 

Despite this, many at the school including the dean felt the show portrayed little hope, and depicted suicide as the only way out, without highlighting the many mental health resources available and the care/support family and friends frequently provide. This sparked an idea for a project called "13 Reasons Why Not" ...

The project involved 13 recordings from students at the school being played over morning announcements. Each day, on the recording one teen would share a problem they had been struggling with, whether that would be bullying at school or issues in their home life. However, rather than placing blame, at the end of the recording, the student would thank someone, such as another classmate who has helped them and thus provided a sense of hope and encouragement to carry on.

​Since the project has been in place, students who have volunteered recordings have found an outpouring of love and support from their classmates, and have found that their school has become a community where individuals feel safe and comfortable sharing their mental health struggles. A bright idea not only to raise awareness and encourage ongoing discussions on these issues, but to show what 13 Reasons does not ... that help, hope, and support do exist. 

"“I watched the series. I thought it accurately depicted the problems that teenagers in high school are facing now. But it was incredibly troubling to me that suicide was portrayed as being, almost, inevitable, like she had no other option,” said Fine.
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“The idea was to come up with 13 reasons why not, because that was not portrayed in the show. … Even though it can get very dark, there is always hope. Our message is that there are no 13 reasons why. Suicide is not an option."

To find out more, visit:
"Oxford High School students begin project called '13 Reasons Why Not'" by Monica Drake (Oakland Press News)

The Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why has received considerable attention over the last few months since its initial worldwide release on March 31. The feedback has been mixed however, and has generated a fair bit of controversy over the portrayal of suicide and self-harm, leading Netflix to post advisory warnings. Many mental lhealth organizations and advocates, along with mental health professionals, have since been speaking out about their concerns regarding the show.

Psychiatrist Dr. Stan Kutcher in Halifax, has been working with the IWK Health Centre and Teenmentalhealth.org to generate an online resource for teens, parents, and educators on how to address concerns regarding the show and discuss mental health issues with young people. 

The resource (link below) specifically highlights concerns such as how the show glamorizes or romanticizes suicide/self-harm raising the concern that there may be an increase in such behaviours by vulnerable youth, presents adults/others as unknowing or unhelpful, and most importantly does not address mental illness which often underlies suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 

However, more importantly, the website provides visitors with a "set of talking points", an important document that should be provided to those who watch the series as it both addresses the above concerns, but also guides discussions between youth and their caregivers/educators, and highlights how hope and help are available to those in need.

To find out more, visit:
http://teenmentalhealth.org/news-posts/responding-13-reasons-considerations-schools/

In a powerful essay for Glamour magazine, Chrissy Teigen shares her experience with postpartum depression, following the birth of her daughter Luna. 

Postpartum depression is very common as it can affect up to 20% of new mothers. However, as Chrissy eloquently describes, it can be incredibly difficult for one to recognize the disorder amongst themselves, but help is available in the form of additional support, psychotherapy, and medication. 

"Before the holidays I went to my GP for a physical. John sat next to me. I looked at my doctor, and my eyes welled up because I was so tired of being in pain. Of sleeping on the couch. Of waking up throughout the night. Of throwing up. Of taking things out on the wrong people. Of not enjoying life. Of not seeing my friends. Of not having the energy to take my baby for a stroll. My doctor pulled out a book and started listing symptoms. And I was like, “Yep, yep, yep.” I got my diagnosis: postpartum depression and anxiety ...

... Before this, I had never, ever—in my whole entire life—had one person say to me: “I have postpartum depression.” Growing up in the nineties, I associated postpartum depression with Susan Smith [a woman now serving life in prison for killing her two sons; her lawyer argued that she suffered from a long history of depression], with people who didn’t like their babies or felt like they had to harm their children. I didn’t have anything remotely close to those feelings. I looked at Luna every day, amazed by her. So I didn’t think I had it.

I also just didn’t think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need: John, my mother (who lives with us), a nanny. But postpartum does not discriminate. I couldn’t control it. And that’s part of the reason it took me so long to speak up: I felt selfish, icky, and weird saying aloud that I’m struggling. Sometimes I still do."

To read the full story, visit: 
​http://www.glamour.com/story/chrissy-teigen-postpartum-depression

Since being hospitalized on a 5150 hold, where individuals are detained in hospital for up to 72 hours for further psychiatric assessment, Kanye West has been a trending topic on various social media pages as people around the world begin to weigh in on the topic.

A scroll through Twitter revealed comments such as: 
- "Kanye in hospital with temporary psychosis, name one genius that ain't crazy?"
- "Kanye West is said to be recovering well in hospital after a nine hour operation to remove his head from his arsehole."
- "Kanye west, Kid Cudi and Orlando Brown should drop a mixtape called Asylum."
- "Kanye West cancels tour amidst public temper tantrums and emotional instability. His bid for the White House 2020 is shaping up nicely."
- "Kanye west hospitalized, our thoughts go out to all the hospital staff at this difficult time."

It's remarkable that in those early days following the news breaking how few comments there were empathizing or sending messages of hope, strength, or recovery; rather, social media pages were filled more with comments minimizing, joking, or making diagnostic presumptions with little but a TMZ report or personal opinions to base it on. 
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In the article below, reporter Andre Picard is quick to remind us all of a few powerful messages regarding mental health that really should be what we take away from West and other celebrities' such hospitalizations. The first, that mental illness does not discriminate; it affects 1 in 5 individuals each year and sometimes this even includes celebrities; they are human and are no more immune to mental illness than we ourselves are. The second, that mental illness is no laughing or joking matter; it can significantly affect one's daily function, livelihood, and of course their family and relationships. By minimizing or making fun of West's recent hospitalization and mental stability we only serve to perpetuate stigma and make light of the pain and suffering that others who have once lived through or experienced similar difficulties have . Thirdly, be cautious of playing doctor or therapist and giving your own diagnostic impression. It is unfair to make a diagnosis given the limited information or relating it simply to West's recent comments regarding Donald Trump or his "creativity". Be mindful and simply consider how you would react to such messages should you or a loved one be faced with a similar situation. For anyone, being involuntary detained in hospital for psychiatric assessment can be a terrifying, confusing, and ultimately distressing time.

To read the full article, visit:
​www.theglobeandmail.com/life/celebrity-news/what-we-can-learn-from-kanye-wests-public-struggles/article32990775/