Today, the Government has announced a new mental health strategy in England. The new strategy is due in autumn and will focus on preventative care, so fewer people reach a crisis point. We are pleased that the strategy promises to have a focus on autistic people and those with ADHD who face a much higher risk of developing a mental health condition.
Mental health is one of the greatest challenges that autistic people face. Mental health services must improve to address the growing need. We hope this strategy outlines the changes we want to see and leads to better outcomes for autistic people.
The Government is inviting frontline workers, clinicians, and mental health experts to respond to a Call for Evidence, launched during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Why autistic people should be a priority
Autistic people are more likely to experience mental health problems than non-autistic people, and suicide is a leading cause of early death in autistic people. When autistic people struggling with their mental health try to access support, they are often misunderstood, dismissed, or the therapies available aren’t tailored to their needs, so they can be less effective. Autistic people must be part of this conversation.
In the past, I’ve tried counselling and CBT. I didn’t find either very helpful. If you’re autistic, you need someone who understands autism and how it affects your life. The issues we face often come from different places than those of neurotypical people, so we need different treatments and support.
Juan, autistic adult
Rebecca Sterry, our interim CEO, said: 'We welcome a strategic approach to solving the mental health crisis. This strategy must include evidence-based approaches tailored for autistic people. It must be shaped by autistic people, as should the interventions and services that are offered.
We also need to see this strategy aligned across government departments to ensure that systems join up. That should ensure autistic people's needs are met where support is needed most, whether that's at school, work, or within healthcare.'
If you want to have your say in the Call for Evidence, make sure you’re signed up to the Autistica Network. We will recruit community members to contribute to our response over the coming weeks.