The Politician: why the Netflix show is being criticised by mental health charities – iNews

CultureTVThe Politician has been described as "gratuitously distressing"

Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, 17:00 pm

A new Netflix show has come under fire from mental health charities for "glamorising suicide" and presenting "a stigmatised view of distress".

The Politician, which stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Platt, prefaces its opening episode with a warning that the show "may be disturbing" "for those who struggle with their mental health".

But some have claimed that Netflix haven't gone far enough.

Encouraging 'copycat behaviour'

Released at the tail-end of September, The Politician centres on schoolboy Payton Hobart and his ambition to become high school president.

The series charts Hobart's mini-presidential campaign, drawing parallels to the 2016 US presidential race.

In the opening episode chief-rival River Barkley, played by David Corenswet, takes his own life, only to be replaced by a vindictive girlfriend - and it's this treatment of suicide which has seen the Ryan Murphy drama land in hot water.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Chris O'Sullivan, Head of Business Development and Engagement at the Mental Health Foundation claimed that the show's trigger warning was not "sincere" and that such a warning did not provide them with "licence to then show gratuitously distressing content".

O'Sullivan also suggested that show's such as the Politician could encourage "copycat behaviour."

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide also spoke out against the portrayal of teen suicide, insisting that such portrayals can, and often does, lead to imitative behaviour".

Netflix in trouble again

This isn't the first time that Netflix have been accused of inadvertently encouraging "copycat behaviour".

Teen drama 13 Reasons Why, which explores the motives behind a teenage girl's suicide, was accused of glamorising suicide following its release in March 2017.

Good Therapy, a mental health resource website, said in 2017 that the teen drama "glamorises suicide to a vulnerable audience" and "sends the troublesome message that if you are not able to find your voice in life but are thoughtful about planning your death, you can bring about justice".

One study drew a correlation between the show's release and an increase in teen suicide. The study, carried out by Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that suicide rates among boys aged 10 to 17 spiked in April 2017 to their highest rates for five years.

Netflix released a statement in response to the study, stating: This is a critically important topic and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly.

If you or anyone you know would like to speak to the Samaritans, you can call them for free at 116 123.

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The Politician: why the Netflix show is being criticised by mental health charities - iNews