"And what does that feel like? It feels like nothing. Like a deep, endless, always blank nothing" - A Psychodynamic Interpretation of "13 reasons why"

The 2017 Netflix series "13 reasons why" also caused a mass media sensation as well as a sensation in the psychiatric and psychotherapeutic world. The series follows protagonist Hannah Baker over the course of 13 episodes, uncovering the 13 distinct plots ultimately resulting in Hanna's suicide by means of audio cassettes she had recorded shortly before taking her own life. Utilising reflective, relational film psychoanalysis according to Hamburger (2018), the topics suicidality, guilt, power and powerlessness, autonomy, identity crisis and aggression can be elaborated on. As empirical studies establish diametrical conclusions whether this TV series exhibits "preventing" or rather "promoting" effects regarding suicidality, this ought to be addressed in the field of psychotherapy. A patient mentalizing the protagonist as well as one's own affective impulses in relation to the series together with the therapist makes transfer of the patient-therapist-relationship to the level of real world relationship possible, whilst also stimulating the (patient's) ability to mentalize in general.