Autistic individuals face significant health disparities, experiencing poorer mental and physical health outcomes and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Alarmingly, they are also at a higher risk of suicide. Recent estimates indicate that one in three autistic people has contemplated suicide, and nearly one in four has attempted it.
In a study published today in the journal Autism, researchers from the University of Cambridge and Bournemouth University surveyed over 1,000 autistic adults. The findings revealed that only one in four sought help from the NHS during their last encounter with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Among those who refrained from seeking NHS support, common reasons included a belief that the NHS could not assist them (48%), attempts to cope independently (54%), and a sense of futility due to long waiting lists for mental health services (43%).
Barriers to Accessing NHS Support
The study highlights that many autistic individuals perceive the NHS’s mental health services as inadequate for their needs. Over a third (36%) of participants who did not seek NHS support reported previous negative experiences, while a similar proportion (34%) had specifically negative encounters when seeking help for suicidality. More than one in ten (12%) reported being turned away or having a referral rejected.
Additionally, one in four participants (25%) expressed fear of consequences such as being sectioned, and practical barriers were also noted, with 34% indicating difficulty in securing a GP appointment. Notably, no participants reported avoiding help because they did not want intervention.
Gender-Specific Challenges
The research also sheds light on gender-specific barriers. Analysis revealed that cisgender women and transgender or gender-divergent individuals were more likely to report negative experiences. Transgender and gender-divergent autistic people, in particular, feared disbelief from NHS staff.
“Our findings make it clear that autistic people do want support when they are struggling with suicidality, but many have been let down by a system that they experience as inaccessible, unhelpful, or even harmful,” said Dr. Tanya Procyshyn, co-lead author from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge.
Implications for Policy and Practice
This study underscores the urgent need for reforms to address the higher suicide rates among autistic individuals. The UK Government’s 2023 Suicide Prevention Strategy recognizes autistic people as a priority group, yet the study’s authors emphasize that policy commitments must translate into tangible service changes.
Recommendations include autism-informed training for healthcare professionals, alternatives to phone-based appointment systems, and flexible, autism-adapted mental health services. These changes should be co-designed with autistic individuals to ensure effectiveness and rebuild trust.
Dr. Rachel Moseley from Bournemouth University stated, “Healthcare professionals don’t receive sufficient training to help them work effectively with autistic people. It’s imperative that the government addresses these inequalities to prevent unnecessary deaths.”
Looking Forward: A Call to Action
Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge, highlighted the crisis within the autism community, noting that one in four autistic adults has planned or attempted suicide. “Although the UK Government has recognized autistic people as high-risk, essential changes are not materializing fast enough,” he warned.
The research, initiated by the charity Autism Action, aims to reduce suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths among autistic individuals. Tom Purser, CEO of Autism Action, condemned the systemic failures, stating, “It is unacceptable that our health service fails autistic people at the time of their greatest need.”
As the study calls for urgent reforms, the hope is that increased awareness and policy changes will lead to improved support systems, ultimately reducing the preventable deaths within the autistic community.
