The Netflix original show 13 Reasons Why follows a young man as he discovers the 13 reasons a girl in his school committed suicide. She gives the reasons on a recording she left. Some high school students are making recordings of their own, but they’re not about killing themselves. Their recordings are named “13 Reasons Why Not.”

Some students at Oxford High School in Michigan made recordings about problems they struggled with. Earlier this month, they played their recordings over the school’s intercom system for thirteen days. The difference was that at the end of their recording they thanked someone for helping them through the tough time, reported the Oakland Press.

Like She Had No Other Option

School dean Pam Fine thought up the project in memory of a student who committed suicide four years ago. “I watched the series. I thought it accurately depicted the problems that teenagers in high school are facing now,” she said. “But it was incredibly troubling to me that suicide was portrayed as being, almost, inevitable, like she had no other option.”

She explained: “The idea was to come up with 13 reasons why not, because that was not portrayed in the show. … Even though it can get very dark, there is always hope. Our message is that there are no 13 reasons why. Suicide is not an option.”

Those involved with the project kept it secret from the students. When they expected to hear the morning announcements one day, their classmate Riley Juntti began talking.

“Worthless. Self-centered. No morals. Easy. Grimy. Cake face. You would be better off dead. That’s just the start of what you would label me as everyday for two years,” Juntti said.

Juntti didn’t name the person who hurt her, but did name the student who helped. “This tape is for you Elise Godfrey. You saw me when no one else did and continued to listen, share and appreciate the small things with me. Thank you for your kindness I can not repay. You are one of my 13 reasons why not.”

An Incredible Response

Other students’ recordings aired day after day until May 17. Fine said the response has been incredible. Students wanted to record their stories and to be featured on the daily announcements.

“It was a risk, and it’s paid off. … I’m incredibly thankful for the response,” said Fine.

Oxford High School Principal Todd Dunckley was supportive of Fine’s project. “I think it makes students realize that, everyday, they can affect someone with their words and actions,” he said. “It’s a nice way to start the day, to be quite honest.”