It’s more common for autistic people to think about and die by suicide than non-autistic people. Research is helping us understand suicide and autism and what we can do to prevent autistic people from dying early. 

Although suicide is a leading cause of early death for autistic people, every suicide is preventable with the right support. Many people who attempt suicide but do not complete it go on to live happy and successful lives. Sometimes, they do this with additional support and input, sometimes without needing it. It's crucial that we learn more about suicide and autism to prevent early death in autistic people.

This article references suicide. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. You can call Samaritans on 116 123 for free, confidential support. If you don’t like phone calls, text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 mental health support. If you are feeling suicidal and you cannot keep yourself safe you can call 999, go to A&E or contact your local crisis resolution team.

Key messages

• Autistic people are more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people.¹ Suicide is a leading cause of early death for autistic people without co-occurring learning disabilities.²
• Autistic females are at a higher risk of suicide attempts and self-harm than autistic males, but suicide mortality and ideation are similar amongst males and females.³
• Every suicide is preventable, with the right support at the right time. Many people who attempt suicide but do not complete it go on to live happy and successful lives.
• If someone tells you they are feeling suicidal, it is important to believe them. Listen to them and seek further support when appropriate.

About suicide

Suicide is when someone takes their own life. It is not a mental health problem, but it is linked to mental distress. There are many different reasons someone may consider taking their own life, including:

• Difficult life events
• Feeling alone, hopeless, or like things may not get better
• Struggling with a physical or mental health condition, including depression and anxiety

Suicide is more common in some groups of people than others. In non-autistic people, suicide is more common in men in their mid-life from lower socio-economic groups. However, in autistic people, suicide attempts and self-harm are more common in women and people assigned female at birth, while suicidal ideation is similar in males and females.³

Suicide and autism

Jump to: About suicide and autism Risk factors for suicide in autistic people

About suicide and autism

It’s more common for autistic people to think about suicide or die by suicide compared to the general population. Around 1-2% of people in the UK are autistic, yet one study interviewing the families of 400 people who died by suicide found that 10% of those who died had elevated autistic traits.⁴

If an autistic person is feeling suicidal, they may not show signs that non-autistic people typically expect. This is because:

• Autistic people have differences in communicating, expressing emotions and interacting with other people.
  Some autistic people find it difficult to communicate their thoughts or struggle to find words to express their emotions, known as alexithymia.
• Structure and routine may mean that someone appears fine from the outside, when they may be struggling.
• Some people might not want to talk about it.

Risk factors for suicide in autistic people

Mental health challenges can increase the risk of someone taking their own life. About 8 in 10 autistic people will experience a mental health problem during their life. This compares to 1 in 4 people in the general population having a mental health problem at some point in their life.

Some research suggests co-occurring ADHD can increase the risk of suicidality in autistic people. One study found possible explanations for this include increased depression, people feeling they are being perceived as a burden, and impulsivity (a key feature of ADHD) meaning people are more likely to be exposed to ‘painful and provocative’ life events.⁷

Gender diversity can increase the risk of suicidal acts. Autistic people are more likely to be gender diverse than non-autistic people. However, there still isn't enough research to understand whether gender-diverse autistic people are at higher risk of suicide than cisgender autistic people.⁸

Emerging research on autistic female students suggests a link between masking and increased risk for suicidality in autistic people.⁹ Masking, also known as camouflaging, is when someone hides their autistic traits.

Autistic people have told us that there may be other reasons why there are higher rates of suicide in autistic individuals, including:

• Delays in receiving a diagnosis
• Difficulties accessing support
• Poor physical health
• High levels of unemployment

Preventing early death in autistic people is a top research priority. That’s why our 2030 Goals include:

• All autistic people are to be given support from day one
• An annual tailored health check, including a check on someone’s mental health
• Doubling the rate of employment for autistic people

What you can do about suicide

Jump to: Talk to someone See your doctor Asking an autistic person if they are feeling suicidal If someone tells you they are suicidal Get involved in research 

Talk to someone

If you are feeling suicidal, talk to someone about your thoughts and feelings. This could be a friend, a family member or someone you trust.

You can also speak to someone on a confidential phone line or text service, if you prefer.

You can call the following numbers in confidence:

• Samaritans 116 123
• Papyrus (for people under 35) 0800 068 4141
• If you don’t like phone calls, text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 mental health support

See your doctor

Autistic people tell us that going to the doctor can be stressful because they feel that health professionals do not understand their needs. But seeing your doctor if you are having suicidal thoughts is an important step towards looking after yourself.  Your doctor may offer you options that may help you feel better about aspects of your life that feel difficult.

Tools like health passports may help your doctor learn about you and your needs.

It is the law that reasonable adjustments must be made in health and social care. You can tell your doctor what reasonable adjustments you need. They can use the reasonable adjustments digital flag, so you don’t need to explain every time you use an NHS service.

Asking an autistic person if they are feeling suicidal

It may be difficult to ask about how someone is feeling, but if you are worried that an autistic person may be suicidal, the best thing you can do is ask explicitly and directly. If you decide to ask, listen to what they say. It’s important to:

• Stay non-judgmental
• Remain calm
• Encourage them to talk about their thoughts and feelings. Remember that some autistic people may struggle to name their feelings, known as alexithymia.

Remember that suicidal feelings and thoughts may look different in an autistic person. It is important not to make assumptions or judgements. If any autistic person tells you that they are suicidal, you should believe them and do what you can to help.

If someone tells you they are suicidal

If someone tells you that they are suicidal, it is important to believe them. Listen to what they have to say. You do not have to try to problem-solve. Offer them support and encourage them to talk to you about their thoughts and feelings. 

If someone is in immediate danger and is at imminent risk of taking their own life call 999. Then, they can be taken to a place of safety and offered an assessment, support or medical attention if necessary.

Get involved in research 

Researchers are trying to learn more about autism and suicide to find better ways to support autistic people in crisis. You can get involved in research that creates breakthroughs for happier, healthier and longer lives for autistic people. Sign up for the Autistica Network today for the latest autism research opportunities.

References

[1] Hirvikoski, T. et al., (2016) Premature mortality in autism spectrum disorder.

[2] Newell, V. et al., (2023) A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability.

[3] Kirby et al., (2024) Are autistic females at greater risk of suicide? A call for clarity to advance suicide prevention for the whole community

[4] Cassidy, S et al., (2022) Autism and autistic traits in those who died by suicide in England.

[5] Kirby et al., (2019) A 20-year study of suicide death in a statewide autism population.

[6] Mayes, S. et al., (2013) Suicide ideation and attempts in children with autism.

[7] Moseley, R. et al., (2023) Potential mechanisms underlying suicidality in autistic people with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Testing hypotheses from the Interpersonal Theory of suicide.

[8] Polidory, L. et al., (2024) Risk of suicide attempt with gender diversity and neurodiversity.

[9] Cassidy et al., (2020) Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours? Expanding the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide in an undergraduate student sample.