Suicidal Feelings & Autism
Warning: Information on self-harm and suicide may be potentially triggering or upsetting to read.
If your life is at risk right now
If you feel like you might attempt suicide, or may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help.
If you are on your own, reach out now to someone you trust
Call 999 for an ambulance
Go straight to your local Accident & Emergency or Emergency Department if you can
Speak to your health professional or local crisis team for help
If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
It is important you get help.
Mental health emergencies are serious. You are not wasting anyone’s time.
Crisis Support
If you feel in crisis, phone emergency services or a crisis hotline.
Northern Ireland & UK
- Call: 0808 808 8000 Lifeline. 116 123 The Samaritans
- Text: 85258 SHOUT, the 24/7 UK text support service
- Email: jo@samaritans.org. It may take several days to receive a reply by email.
Ireland
- Call: 1800 247 247 Pieta 24/7 Crisis helpline. 116 123 The Samaritans
- Text: HELP to 51444 the Pieta Free 24/7 Crisis helpline
- Email: jo@samaritans.org. It may take several days to receive a reply by email.
Mind the Mental Health charity has created some useful tools to support young people during a crisis.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours and self-injury behaviours are very closely related but also distinct.
Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation refers to suicidal thoughts and cognitions. Research reports higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts by autistic people (Cassidy et al 2014). However, there are gaps in research and a need for longitudinal research using large population-based samples in order to be able to generalise findings.
Read previous: ← Self Harm & Autism