World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day offers us the opportunity to speak candidly about an issue that is often swept under the rug: the disturbingly high suicide rates within the autistic community. Citing research from ResearchGate, it's time we give voice to these chilling statistics and talk about real solutions.
A Dire Picture: The Statistics
Up to 66% of autistic adults have considered suicide.
Autistic adults with no learning disability are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Astoundingly, autistic women are 13 times more likely than non-autistic women to die by suicide.
Autistic children are 28 times more likely to think about or try suicide
Identifying the Barriers
Almost 80% of adults and 70% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will experience a mental health difficulty, with 40% grappling with at least two. Despite these alarming figures, barriers continue to exist that prevent autistic individuals at risk for suicide from receiving adequate attention and support. This is particularly disheartening, given that mental health difficulties are more commonly observed in autistic individuals.
Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
We must work collaboratively with autistic people and those who support them to both identify immediate, stopgap solutions and develop carefully designed, well-researched solutions over the longer term. Following the policy brief, the paper titled “Where do we go from here? Autism Community priorities for future suicide research” was published in June 2021. It stresses that removing barriers to mental health services is the most critical issue identified by autistic people and their supporters.
How to Support an Autistic Person Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
Believe and Listen: Take seriously any autistic person who tells you they are suicidal, even if the information is conveyed in an unexpected manner.
Ask Specific Questions: Due to potential difficulties with interpreting emotions and metaphors, it’s crucial to ask straightforward questions.
Allow Time for Processing: Understand that processing speed can vary, especially during a crisis.
Check for Understanding: Due to differences in communication and interpretation, ensure the autistic individual has accurately interpreted your questions and concerns.
Utilize Neuroaffirming Tools: Employ guidelines and tools that are flexible and personalized, catering to an autistic individual's unique needs.
Promote Belonging: Feelings of connectedness and self-worth can act as safeguards against suicidal thoughts.
Identify Warning Signs: Lack of social support or feelings of being a burden are major red flags that should not be ignored.
Priority Recommendations: Immediate Actions: Based on the “Where do we go from here?” report, here are some priority recommendations to address these concerns:
Explicit Identification: Label autistic individuals as high-risk groups in suicide prevention policies.
Research & Clinical Partnerships: Work closely with the autistic community for appropriate training and intervention strategies.
Legislation: Require that mental health services cater to autistic people for a range of co-occurring conditions, including suicidality.
Improved Identification and Diagnosis: Especially focus on older children, adolescents, and adults.
Guidelines for Service Providers: To recognize high-risk autistic individuals and provide appropriate treatments.
Innovative Support Systems: Develop new, accessible, and personalized treatment approaches.
Accreditation for Excellence: Recognize mental health service providers who excel in supporting autistic individuals.
Source: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Community’s Top 10 Long-Term Priorities
In addition to the immediate actions, it is equally important to focus on long-term community priorities:
Identify Barriers: What obstacles do autistic people face when seeking help?
Risk and Protective Factors: Investigate these across the autistic lifespan.
Severity of Distress: Ensure autistic people are believed when reporting their mental distress.
Suicidality Development: Examine the development not associated with other mental health symptoms.
Assessment Techniques: Discover the best ways to assess suicidal thoughts in autistic individuals.
Adapting Interventions: Understand how current interventions can be adapted for autistic people.
Unique Experiences: Research if the experience of suicidality in autistic individuals differs from the general population.
Crisis Management: Investigate how autistic individuals seek help during crises.
Applicability of Existing Models: Examine if existing models for understanding suicide apply to autistic people.
Impact of Poor Sleep: Study its effect on suicide risk in autistic people.
Concluding Thoughts
The urgency to address suicide rates within the autistic community cannot be overstated. By implementing both immediate actions and focusing on long-term strategies, we can build a more inclusive, effective approach to suicide prevention. Let's commit this World Suicide Prevention Day to make mental health services accessible and appropriate for everyone, especially for those within the autistic community.
For those interested in learning more, please refer to the original research on ResearchGate: Autism community priorities for suicide prevention.
This article is a call to action. Please share it widely to help make suicide prevention inclusive and effective for everyone, including the autistic community.