Understanding the Tragic Reality of Suicide in Autistic Individuals: Call to Action and Resources List
Bridgette Hamstead
The conversation about autism and mental health is both deeply personal to me and critically important for our society. As someone who is autistic and dedicated to neurodiversity advocacy, I've experienced personally and seen firsthand how autistic individuals – particularly girls, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse communities – face unique and often overwhelming challenges. Among these, the risk of suicide looms large, a stark reality that demands our attention and action.
The autistic community, particularly those who are undiagnosed, girls, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse communities, face unique and critical challenges that combine and aggregate over time, leading to heightened risk of suicide, necessitating an urgent and empathetic response.
The Startling Evidence
Recent studies reveal a concerning trend: autistic individuals are significantly more likely to contemplate and attempt suicide compared to the neurotypical population. The "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders" highlights that suicidal thoughts and behaviors are alarmingly higher in autistic people. This risk intensifies in those who are undiagnosed, stemming from a lack of appropriate support and understanding.
The challenges faced by autistic individuals in relation to mental health and suicide are stark and deeply concerning. Current research underscores the urgency with which we must address this crisis.
Autistic Individuals: Heightened Risk
Recent studies reveal that the rate of suicidal thoughts and attempts among autistic individuals is alarmingly high. A comprehensive study in the "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders" indicates that the prevalence of suicidal behavior in autistic people is significantly higher than in the general population. To put this into perspective, the rate of suicide attempts among autistic adults is estimated to be around 9 times higher than in the non-autistic population, according to research in the journal "Autism Research."
The Unseen and Undiagnosed
A particularly vulnerable group within the autistic community is those who remain undiagnosed. Without a formal diagnosis, these individuals often lack access to tailored support and understanding, which exacerbates feelings of isolation and distress. The absence of a diagnosis does not negate the challenges they face; rather, it often intensifies them. This lack of support and recognition contributes significantly to the heightened risk of suicide in this group.
Autistic Individuals Regardless of Diagnosis Status
Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety, depression, and autistic burnout are prevalent, stemming from the continual effort to adapt to societal norms that don’t accommodate their neurodiversity.
Co-Occurring Conditions: Many autistic individuals experience additional conditions like ADHD or sensory processing disorders, complicating their experiences and support needs.
A Lifetime of Misunderstanding: Many grow up feeling fundamentally different without understanding why, leading to internalized stigma and a lack of self-acceptance. Misunderstandings by others, including family and partners, can result in strained relationships and isolation.
Workplace Challenges: Discrimination, underemployment, and financial difficulties due to wage gaps are common, impacting quality of life and access to services.
Inadequate Healthcare and Support Services: The lack of neuro-affirming, LGBTQIA+-friendly, and gender-affirming healthcare and mental health support exacerbates the challenges faced by the autistic community.
Autistic Girls and Women
For autistic girls and women, the situation is even more dire. They are frequently diagnosed later in life, if at all, due to a gender bias in the understanding of autism. This gender disparity in diagnosis is not just a matter of numbers; it has real and lasting impacts on the lives of these individuals. A delay in diagnosis often means a delay in receiving appropriate support, leading to prolonged periods of mental health struggles. The National Autistic Society reports that autistic women are particularly prone to internalizing distress, leading to conditions like anxiety and depression, which are significant risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Autistic LGBTQIA+ and Gender Diverse Community Members
Autistic individuals who are also part of the LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse communities navigate a world often unprepared to understand and support their intersecting identities. This lack of understanding and acceptance can lead to a heightened sense of isolation, not just from society at large but sometimes even within their own communities.
Mental Health and Suicide Risk
The mental health impact on this group is significant. Studies have shown that autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals are at a heightened risk for mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. A study in the "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders" revealed that around 70% of autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals have contemplated suicide, a rate alarmingly higher than in the general population. Moreover, research indicates that around 40% of autistic individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ have attempted suicide at least once, a stark contrast to the 14% rate in the broader autistic community.
The Role of Social Factors
Social factors play a critical role in this elevated risk. Autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals often face a dual stigma, struggling for acceptance of both their neurodiversity and their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can lead to experiences of rejection, bullying, and discrimination, which are known risk factors for suicide. Furthermore, these individuals may find it more challenging to access LGBTQIA+-affirmative support that also accommodates their neurodivergent needs, leading to feelings of alienation even within supposed safe spaces.Multifaceted Challenges
A Call for Comprehensive Support and Inclusion
These statistics are not just numbers; they represent real lives, each with its own story of struggle and resilience. The need for targeted support, early diagnosis, and inclusive policies has never been more critical. As a community, as advocates, and as a society, we must commit to understanding and addressing these challenges with compassion, urgency, and a deep commitment to change. The lives of many in our neurodiverse community depend on it.
The intersection of autism with other identities necessitates a nuanced approach to support and inclusion. We must champion early and accurate diagnoses, especially for girls and women, and advocate for mental health services that respect neurodiversity and accommodate the LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse community. Creating inclusive spaces, raising societal awareness, and advocating for inclusive policies are crucial steps toward a more understanding and supportive world.
At Fish in a Tree, we are committed to creating a society where neurodiversity is celebrated, and every individual has access to the necessary support to lead fulfilling lives. By addressing these challenges comprehensively, we can hope to significantly reduce the tragically high rates of suicide in the autistic community and build a world that embraces all aspects of human diversity.
As we address the urgent needs of the autistic community, particularly those facing the challenges of depression and suicidality, it is crucial to acknowledge a significant gap in our current support systems. Currently, there are no neuro-affirming hotlines or emergency services specifically tailored to serve autistic individuals. This lack underscores a critical need in our healthcare and support infrastructure – the establishment of neurodiversity-informed and neurodiversity-affirming hotlines, text, and chat services that are accessible to and tailored for neurodivergent, especially autistic, individuals.
The absence of such specialized services means that many in the autistic community may not find the understanding and tailored support they need in times of crisis. This highlights a broader issue within our support systems, which often overlook the unique experiences and challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.
A Call to Action
We must advocate for the creation of neurodiversity-affirming emergency services. These services should not only understand the specific experiences of autistic individuals but also provide support in ways that are accessible and comfortable for them. It's a call to mental health professionals, policymakers, and advocates to recognize this gap and work collaboratively to establish services that truly meet the needs of the neurodivergent community.
Existing Resources
While we work towards this goal, there are existing resources that can offer support, though not specifically tailored for the autistic community. These include:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Website: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line:
Text: HOME to 741741
Website: crisistextline.org
The Trevor Project (for LGBTQIA+ young people):
Phone: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Website: thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline (for transgender individuals):
Phone: 1-877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
The Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):
Website: autisticadvocacy.org
Wrong Planet:
Website: wrongplanet.net
GLBT National Help Center:
Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Website: glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Gender Spectrum:
Website: genderspectrum.org
*Edit - Additional Resources Added
For anyone in the US contemplating suicide or actively suicidal, here's a list of important hotlines, text, chat, and online resources:
-988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline):
Call: 988
Online Chat: 988lifeline.org
-Crisis Text Line:
Text: HOME to 741741
Website: crisistextline.org
-The Trevor Project (for LGBTQIA+ Youth):
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Online Chat: thetrevorproject.org
-Trans Lifeline:
Call: 1-877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
-SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Website: samhsa.gov
-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:
Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Website: nami.org
-Veterans Crisis Line:
Call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1
Text: 838255
Website: veteranscrisisline.net
-Teen Line (for Teenagers):
Call: 310-855-HOPE (4673) or 1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) (6pm to 10pm PST)
Text: TEEN to 839863 (6pm to 9pm PST)
Website: teenlineonline.org
-BlackLine (for the Black, Black LGBTQIA+, Brown, Native and Muslim community):
Call: 1-800-604-5841
Website: callblackline.com
Each of these resources offers support and assistance to those in need, providing a safe space to discuss and manage mental health challenges.
While these resources provide valuable support, the creation of neurodiversity-affirming emergency services is a critical step towards fully supporting the autistic community. At Fish in a Tree, we advocate for these necessary changes and encourage others to join in this call to action. Together, we can work towards a future where every individual has access to the specialized support they need and deserve.