A new study by Bournemouth University (BU) is calling for Government to commit to a faster diagnosis and tailored mental health support for people with autism to help prevent suicides.
The study which was led by Dr Rachel Moseley, who is autistic and Principal Academic in Psychology at BU analysed more than 4,000 responses from autistic people who have had thoughts of suicide, or people who have been bereaved from the death of someone with autism. Researchers identified what autistic people and their allies thought were the most important priorities to reduce the number of autistic people who think about and attempt suicide. These ideas will help to shape new policies, improve future diagnosis, crisis and follow-up support services in the community.
Dr Moseley said: “As an autistic person, I have experienced what it means to feel like an NHS ‘treatment failure’ long before knowing I was autistic. I would not be here today if my family had not saved my life many times.”
Previous studies have shown that autistic people are three times more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people, while almost one in four autistic people will attempt suicide in their lifetime, compared with one in 37 non-autistic people. Previous research by Dr Moseley and colleagues identified the major driving factors behind this higher suicide risk: “cracks in the system” which include societal inequalities and stigma faced by autistic people and being missed for autism diagnosis in childhood. Negative encounters in healthcare also emerged as contributing to suicide risk.
Unsurprisingly, strategies to address these issues emerged as major suicide prevention priorities in the new study. Dr Moseley said: “A major theme from participants was the need to improve autism diagnostic services, ensuring that autistic people not diagnosed in childhood are assessed accurately, quickly and with sensitive post-diagnostic care.”
Other priorities included:
- Tackling the inequalities faced by autistic people in education, employment and healthcare.
- Improving inclusion of autistic people within society, including through appropriate support in the community.
- Autism-specific support for people in crisis, delivered by those with specialist knowledge of autism.
The work was carried out in collaboration with the University of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre and charity Autism Action. Tom Purser, CEO of charity Autism Action, is calling for the Government to stop the delays and commit to a timeline for a new autism strategy, created with autistic people and their supporters saying: “Across all areas of life, services for autistic people need urgent, immediate overhaul. Behind the statistics and research findings are real people enduring preventable trauma and loss. We cannot let this continue.”
Dr Rachel Moseley is hopeful that the research will contribute to better services for autistic people in the future, saying: “We are grateful that we were able to bring together so many real-life experiences and help our participants contribute to outlining the national improvements needed. We are hopeful that this and future work with Autism Action will improve and support a society where autistic people have equal opportunities to thrive.”
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or the PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email [email protected].
For further information about courses in Psychology, please visit the BU website.
