The research, led by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with BU and charity Autism Action, showed that autistic people identify loneliness, hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness and failure as key factors underpinning their suicidal feelings. It also showed that autistic women and gender minorities were disproportionately over-represented among those who struggled to access support, with difficulties accessing help linked to increased risk of suicide.
The research was initiated and supported by Autism Action, whose number one priority is to reduce the number of autistic people who think about, attempt or die by suicide.
Speaking in the House of Commons on 11 September, Peter Swallow, Labour MP for Bracknell, highlighted the research, stating, “Suicide is one of the biggest killers in this country, behind every statistic is a friend, a mum, a cousin, a husband, each one loved by friends and family.
“I was privileged to chair a roundtable organised by Autism Action on autism and suicide prevention, which shined a light on the disproportionate effect suicide has on those with autism. Recent research from Autism Action, Cambridge University and Bournemouth University, the largest study of autism and suicide to date provides insight, identifying loneliness, hopelessness and feelings of failure as key drivers of suicidal thought. Many reported difficulties in getting the support they needed, long waiting times for diagnosis and a lack of post-diagnostic help.
“There is more to do to make sure recognition translates into practical action. An updated suicide prevention strategy should specifically address the needs of autistic people.”
The full exchange can be watched on Parliament.tv.
In the House of Lords, the research was referenced by Baroness Browning in a debate on suicide reduction on 8 September 2025. Baroness Browning, a former Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, was speaking to Baroness Merron and said, “I know that the Minister has an interest in this. Would she please find time to read the report, published last week jointly by Cambridge and Bournemouth universities, on suicide and autism? Among all the neurodivergent conditions, autism has by far the highest suicide rate. It is not rocket science why; it is preventable, and I know the Minister will do all she can to help get that figure down.”
In response, Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Health and Social Care, and a former Labour MP for Lincoln, responded, “The noble Baroness is quite right to speak as she has done. The suicide prevention strategy and the seven priority groups it identifies does include autistic people. As the noble Baroness will know, I think that is particularly key and I will certainly be pleased to look out for the report to which she refers”.
Dr Rachel MoseleySpeaking about the research, Dr Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology at BU, said, “We know from previous research that the number of autistic people attempting suicide is unacceptably high. Whilst one in 37 non-autistic people ever attempt suicide, approximately one in four autistic people do so.
“I am grateful to MPs and Peers who are raising this issue at the highest levels to underline the scale of the issue, and I hope that by continuing to highlight these shocking statistics, we can help to make support more easily accessible and ensure that people feel heard, valued and supported when these feelings present.”
This paper is the first of a number of publications which aim to guide policymakers towards means of preventing suicide in autistic people; the second paper was published just this week. The research has been driven by Autism Action who have been lobbying for change on the issue.
Tom Purser, CEO of Autism Action, said, “This research points to the need for urgent change. Whilst we were pleased to see autistic people once again highlighted by the Government as a priority group in regard to suicide prevention, we simply have not seen enough action. The four actions that the Government committed to delivering in 2023 have barely been delivered but even if they had been they would be insufficient to make any real impact. The Government need to listen to this important research, commit to a new set of actions in the suicide prevention action plan and to make suicide a central focus of the next update of the national autism strategy.”
Looking to the future, Dr Moseley commented, “Fundamentally, the government needs to commit money and resources to developing strategic plans to address health and wellbeing inequalities for autistic people, including their reduced life expectancy and higher risk of suicide. Our research highlights particular need to upskill healthcare professionals to work with autistic people, remove barriers to healthcare, reduce waiting times for autism assessment for people of all ages, and ensure that post-diagnostic support is provided as standard practice.”
For more information about BU’s links with Parliament, visit the BU website.
