Focusing on suicide prevention for people with autism will likely come increasingly into focus as time goes on, with new research revealing that those on the spectrum are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide as non-autistic demographics.
Carried out by the University of Queensland and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, the study – published in the Psychiatry Research journal – highlighted a critical need for suicide intervention and prevention strategies.
Lead author of the review Dr Damian Santomauro from the university’s School of Public Health described the findings as alarming, including the discovery that people on the spectrum who didn’t have intellectual disabilities of some kind were five times more likely to die by suicide.
He suggested that there may be many different reasons for this elevated risk, saying: “People on the autism spectrum often experience bullying, social rejection, stigma and discrimination – all risk factors for depressive disorders.
“There can also be other challenges for autistic people that impact their educational progress, employment, independent living and peer relationships.”
Dr Santomauro continued, saying that implementing measures to reduce suicide risk factors would “substantially reduce the fatal burden of suicides” around the world, as well as the health burdens placed on people on the spectrum.
In the UK, autistic people were included in the Department for Health and Social Care Suicide Prevention Strategy as a specific demographic for the first time.
Key recommendations made by the autism community for inclusion in the brief included improving access to diagnosis and post-diagnostic support, as well as including the community in future research and policy decisions moving forward.
Are you considering suicide prevention training? Suicide Bereavement UK delivers evidence-based theory driven courses informed by research and provided by experts in their field.
For further information, contact:
Paul Higham
Suicide Bereavement UK
Tel: 01706 827359
Mobile: 07850 710555
Email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com