Autism and Suicide

Suicide is when a person takes their own life.

Suicidal thoughts are when a person thinks about and or plans to end their life. These thoughts include; thoughts of ending your life, feeling that others would be better off without you and planning ways to end your life.

Suicidal thoughts may present themselves as feeling:

desperate like you have no choice
overwhelmed by feelings of negativity
unwanted or unneeded by others
hopeless like there is no point in living

There is no one reason or cause for suicide or suicidal thoughts. There are many things that may lead a person to consider taking their own life.

Some of these include:

Difficult life events
Struggling to cope with life
Feeling alone, isolated, hopeless, or like things may not get better
Difficulties understanding people’s behaviour and expectations
Poor physical or mental health
Long-term illness
Trauma or stressful experiences (relationships, financial issues, work issues)
Repetitive cycles of thought, may lead to an intense focus on suicide
Difficulties recognising, managing, and regulating emotion
Psychiatric conditions; including depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar Affective disorder (BAD) and others
Delays in receiving an assessment for autism
Difficulties accessing support
Difficulties securing and or maintaining employment

When a person says they are feeling suicidal or are considering taking their own life, it is important to take it seriously.

If an autistic person tells you that they are suicidal, it is even more important to believe them, this is because they may not show signs that people typically expect. This could be because:

they have differences communicating and interacting with other people
they find it difficult to communicate their thoughts
they may not want to/ or feel able to talk about it

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, it is important to get help now. Talk to the Samaritans on 116 123 anytime of day, 24 hours a day.

If there is an immediate risk to life call 999 or go to any hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Warning signs

There are a few warning signs to look out for if you are worried about a person ending their life. Some of these include:

Making material preparations such as storing up medication
Preparing a Will
Giving away possessions, especially items known to be of significance to the individual
Changes in weight/appetite
Lack of self-care. For example, personal hygiene
Behaving in an erratic or reckless manner, compared to normal

It is important to get help and support, and you can do this in a number of ways:

Speak to your GP for help and advice or call 111
Talk to a friend, family member or someone you trust and tell them how you are feeling
Speak to someone confidentially:
- - Samaritans: 116 123 (operating 24 hours a day)
  - Hopelineuk: 0800 068 4141 (operating 9am to 12 midnight)

If there is a risk to life call 999 or go to any hospital A&E department.

Further support services

Central Access Point

If you are in need of urgent NHS mental health support, you should call the Mental Health Central Access Point which is open 24/7.

Call: 0808 800 3302

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans any time, from any phone for free on:

116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org

Challenging Behaviour Foundation

The Family Support Service can provide information and support about the needs of your family member with a severe learning disability. The support is confidential, and they won’t judge you or tell you what to do.

For families and professionals caring for children and adults with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

Telephone: 0300 666 0126

Email: support@thecbf.org.uk

Papyrus

PAPYRUS, Prevention of Young Suicide, is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Phone services are operated by Hopeline UK

Telephone: 08000 684 141

Text: 07860039967

Email: pat@papyrus.uk.orh