The Foothills School Division is taking steps towards meaningful conversation around the Netflix series '13 Reasons Why.'

The show centres around a young woman who takes her own life, and leaves tapes for individuals she felt pushed her to the decision.

F.S.D. has sent out letters to parents regarding the division's concerns with the series and the impact it could have on youth who have a history of trauma.

Loriann Salmon, Director of Inclusive Learning, says although the show starts a conversation around bullying, it can also have adverse effects on students.

"We do have education certainly around the safety and wellness of our kids, and it's done in a very purposeful way. Whereas what this show is depicting is not something we would support as a school system, it tends to almost romanticize the choices that are made by the character around suicidal idealizations. It also includes a school counsellor who's not adequately addressing the character's pleas for help, so it's not supporting some of the things that we certainly recommend students do in terms of reaching out to others for help. "

She says the letter home was to bring attention to parents who may not have known about the series, or don't know how to broach the topic of suicide with their children.

"The letter was just to value that relationship with families, ensure families were aware of the series, and if their kids were watching it to support them in engaging in reflective conversations around it."

Salmon shares guidelines around conversations about the series have been sent to both counsellors and teachers, and F.S.D. encourages students to talk about any concerns they have with the show.