Yahoo Movies Netflix's The Politician condemned by mental health charities
Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide that some readers may find upsetting.
Netflix's new series The Politician has been condemned by mental health charities for its depiction of suicide.
The new Ryan Murphy series follows a high schooler called Payton Hobart and his race to become student body president, and the show comes with a trigger warning that it "may be disturbing".
The first episode of the show sees Hobart's rival River Barkley take his own life, and also details a previous suicide attempt by the character.
Related: Netflix's The Politician makes promises it can't keep
However, it's treatment of the sensitive subject has been criticised by the Mental Health Foundation, which has said that the warning is not "sincere" and hit out at the "gratuitously distressing content".
"TV dramas naturally want to explore and sometimes to dramatise distress," Chris O'Sullivan, Head of Business Development and Engagement, said (via The Telegraph). "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."
Related: The Politician's Ben Platt says sexual preference shouldn't determine roles
Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, added that such scenes "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 added.
Netflix did consult with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention while the show was being made, though this isn't the first time the streaming company has run into controversy on this subject.
13 Reasons Why has received a lot of criticism for its depiction of suicide, going as far as to eventually edit out a graphic scene from season one.
Digital Spy has reached out to Netflix for comment.
The Politician is streaming now on Netflix.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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