NETFLIX show The Politician has taken its depiction of suicide very seriously.
The Ryan Murphy show, while mostly comic, sees River Barkley (David Corenswet) take his own life in the first episode.
He is also depicted recounting a previous suicide bid during a debate for Student Body president, competing against protagonist Payton Hobart (Ben Platt).
“The world is dark and I think teenagers nowadays realise that,” says River in the poignant speech.
Acknowledging the gravity of the plotline, Netflix aired a viewer discretionary advisory before the start of the episode.
“The Politician is a comedy about moxie, ambition and getting what you want at all costs,” it read.
“But for those who struggle with their mental health, some elements may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.”
The warning comes after producers consulted the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, who encouraged the warning.
Previously Netflix found itself in hot water after show 13 Reasons Why was accused of “glamorising suicide” with its revenge narrative.
The controversial teen drama depicted protagonist Hannah graphically taking her own life – a scene which has since been removed from the streaming service.
The scene was in direct contravention to the guidelines of mental health activists.
Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, warned that any gratuitous depiction of suicidal behaviour “can, and often does, lead to imitative behaviour".
"People who produce such imagery must weigh up the consequences before putting their work before the public, particularly young people and those who may be vulnerable,” he said.
Meanwhile Chris O'Sullivan, Head of Business Development and Engagement at the Mental Health Foundation said: “TV dramas naturally want to explore and sometimes to dramatise distress.
“Trigger warnings can be part of such programming but they should be sincere.
"They don’t provide a licence to then show gratuitously distressing content, content that presents a stigmatising view of distress or content that romanticises suicide or shows details of methods, which can increase the risk of copycat behaviour.”
UK telly watchdog Ofcom has no involvement with Netflix content, as the European leg of the company is based in the Netherlands.
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