Australia’s mental health support groups have issued a warning following the popularity of a new Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why.

The TV show, which follows the story of Hannah Baker, is told in the aftermath of her suicide.

Hannah, played by Australian actress Katherine Langford, uses tapes to detail “thirteen reasons” behind her choice to commit suicide.

The series follows her teenage love interest, Clay, who is given the tapes to listen to after her death.

The series focuses on the issues of high school bullying and mental health.

View photos The series follows Hannah Baker's story after her suicide. Photos: Netflix More

Since the show was made available on Netflix last month it has sparked strong debate about the final episodes, which depict graphic scenes of rape and self harm.

Youth mental health foundation Headspace said it has received a growing number of calls and emails from parents and youths worried about the scenes.

In the show's final episode, viewers are confronted with Hannah’s suicide. The scene is highly graphic.

View photos Australian actress Katherine Langford plays the series lead Hannah Baker. Photo: Netflix More

Research suggests depictions of methods of suicide can be a potential risk to vulnerable people and those impacted by suicide.

The head of Headspace's online counselling service, Dr Steven Leicester, told Fairfax that clinicians have been dealing with a constant stream of “concerned individuals” since the series started in Australia.

"There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and a young audience in particular," he said in a statement.

A manager for Headspace's school support service also felt exposing young people to distressing content such as seen in the final episode could lead to "suicide contagion".

The issue has been talked about abroad also with US suicide prevention advocacy groups saying the show could do "more harm than any good".

View photos Photo: Netflix More

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