"The show wants to attribute all the problems of youth to social media and bullying, but refuses to consider that those things are just symptoms themselves. The loss of faith, the (loss of the) conviction of a loving personal God, the loss of a sense of eternity, all of these things make suicide a logical response to suffering. Our kids are not dumb," she told CNA.
Nicolosi said she saw the value in the anti-bullying messages of the show, but she also worries it could lend power to suicide.
"...I am worried that the character of Hannah does seem to have some power in wreaking revenge on her persecutors through her suicide. In the end, I think the show is close to a wash in terms of whether it will do good or harm," she said.
Dr. Jim Langley, a Catholic psychologist with St. Raphael Counseling in Denver, has read the book and seen several episodes of "13 Reasons Why."
Because of the mature content on several levels - language, sexuality, topics of suicide and rape - he said he would be hesitant to recommend either the show or the book to anyone other than mentally healthy adults.
He also said that there were several things that the story gets right - namely, that people you may not expect in your life could be at risk for suicide, and the devastating impact suicide can have on the people in your life.
However, where the story goes wrong is that it tends to romanticize the idea of suicide and fails to adequately address the impact mental health played in Hannah's decision to end her life.
Dr. Langley said he also worried that the show went too far in suggesting that the people in Hannah's life were at fault for her suicide. Bullying, rape and assault are terrible things to have happen to someone, and there is some benefit to showing that your actions "can harm and influence other people."
"To some degree we all have responsibility to other people, but in some ways the show goes too far, and makes it sound like we have responsibility for the other person. We're responsible to the people in our lives, to treat them well. But the people who hurt (Hannah) were not responsible for her choosing to commit suicide."
"Most people who commit suicide - almost everyone has a severe mental health problem. And the show does not portray this girl as having severe mental health problems in the way that somebody who is contemplating suicide almost always has," he said.
Warning signs for suicide include severe, ongoing depression and social isolation. A suicidal person may mention something about wanting to end their life, or start giving away their belongings as sentimental gifts. Another warning sign includes a deeply depressed person who is all of a sudden very happy, brought about by a sudden sense of freedom if they have decided on suicide.
The show's ultimate message is that the solution to teen suicide is that everyone needs to treat the people in their lives better, which is a positive message but does not go far enough in addressing mental health issues, Dr. Langley said.
One of the most important things adults can do, Dr. Langley said, it to talk to the children in their lives about this show and about suicide and other issues.
"I think that especially with teenagers, they are exposed to so much in today's culture, that it's our job as parents and educators about those things and to provide real, accurate information and to provide them with the truth," he said.
Often adults can worry that they will over-expose their children to heavy issues by having these conversations, but for the most part, the internet and social media and the culture at large have already done that, Dr. Langley noted.
"So as parents and educators, we're not overexposing them by talking about the issues, we're going to help them process it and discern the truth in it. And I think it is really valuable to talk with teenagers about mental health issues."
One thing that was "starkly missing" from the book and the T.V. show, Dr. Langley said, was Hannah's parents, who seemed loving but at the same time were largely unaware of Hannah's experiences at school and her interior experiences.
"So it's so important for parents to play a really active role in their kids' lives, even though a teenager's number one priority is to individuate from mom and dad, which is healthy, you still have to be involved and talk with them and let them know that you care and that you're invested in them. Don't be those absent parents that Hannah's parents appeared to be in the show."
If you think you or a friend is struggling with suicidal thoughts, ask for help from someone you can trust and/or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (available 24 hours everyday). For Catholic counseling, contact your local priest, diocese or your local branch of Catholic Charities.
Mary Farrow worked as a staff writer for Catholic News Agency until 2020. She has a degree in journalism and English education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.