What is suicide?
- Suicide is when a person ends their own life
- Suicidal thoughts are when a person thinks about ending their life or feels they do not want to live anymore.
Suicide is often preventable, and early support can save lives. Talking about suicide can help keep people safe and reduce negative thoughts. By understanding suicide, it can help autistic people stay safe and help others around them.
Why autistic people may be at higher risk
There is no single cause for suicide. Many different experiences can build up over time.
Autistic people may face extra challenges because the world is often not set up to meet their needs.
Research from Autistica (2017) suggests that more than 6 in 10 autistic people have considered suicide and more than 3 in 10 autistic adults have attempted suicide
Autistic people may also:
- find it hard to recognise, understand, and describe their own emotions (alexithymia)
- express distress differently from what others expect
- hide their true feelings to manage demanding situations (
- have repetitive thinking, which may lead to a strong focus on distressing thoughts
This means others around them may miss signs that they are struggling.
How suicidal thoughts may feel
Suicidal thoughts can feel different for each person. Some common experiences include feeling:
- like there is no way out
- overwhelmed by negative thoughts or emotions
- hopeless, as if nothing will improve
- like a burden to others
- very tired of coping with traumas, discrimination or being misunderstood
An autistic person may also:
- get stuck in a loop of thoughts about death or dying
- focus on one idea and find it hard to shift away from it
- feel distress when routines or expectations break down
Stigma around suicide
Stigma is when people feel ashamed, embarrassed, or worried about being judged for something.
Some people can feel ashamed or worried to talk about suicide. Negative attitudes stop someone asking for support. The way we talk about and understand suicide can affect whether people feel safe to speak openly.
We need to encourage people to talk about how they feel and recognise when they are struggling. Suicidal thoughts can be temporary, but they must always be taken seriously.
Autistic people may take language literally, so unclear reassurance can feel confusing or unhelpful.
To reduce stigma:
- avoid phrases like “committed suicide,” which can suggest crime or blame. Use “died by suicide” or “took their own life”
- avoid “successful/unsuccessful attempt,” which can sound like success or failure. Use “attempted suicide” or “took their own life”
Warning signs to look out for
It is important to recognise why a person might be at risk of suicide and take all signs seriously.
Some warning signs include:
- talking about wanting to die or not wanting to live
- saying others would be better off without them
- making plans or preparing (for example storing medication) or increasing self harm
- giving away important or valued possessions
- Writing a will or saying goodbye
- changes in eating, sleeping, or personal care
- withdrawing or isolating self from people or activities
- acting in ways that are unusual or more risky
- sudden calmness after distress (may mean a decision has been made)
- when life demands are high (work, school, caring responsibilities, chronic illness) and coping capacity is low (time, energy, support)
- changes in identity or how some describe themselves
- changes in financial situation
For autistic people, signs may look different and can include
- increased shutdowns or meltdowns
- more repetitive talk about death
- sudden change in routine or behaviour
- becoming much more withdrawn or quiet
If someone says they feel suicidal, always believe them and act on it.
What you can do if you feel suicidal
If you are having suicidal thoughts:
- Tell someone you trust as soon as you can
- Contact a GP, mental health service, or helpline. Click this link to find a list of these: emotional health resources
- Go somewhere you feel safer, if possible
- Remove anything you could use to harm yourself if you can. Avoid alcohol or drugs, as they can increase risk
- Try simple grounding activities (for example focusing on your breathing or a familiar object)
You do not need to deal with this alone.
If speaking is hard, you could:
- Write a message
- Use notes or a phone
- Show someone this article
How to support and talk to an autistic person you are concerned about
If you are supporting an autistic person:
- Listen carefully and do not judge
- Use clear, direct language. Allow processing time, and do not rush for an answer.
- Ask simple questions like “Are you thinking about suicide?”
- Help reduce immediate stress (for example noise, demands, uncertainty)
- Help them access professional support
- Offer practical help, not just words. Give choices rather than open-ended questions.
For example: “Would you like me to stay with you, or would you prefer me to call the helpline?”
Do not assume someone is okay because they seem calm or do not show strong emotions.
You may also need to seek support for yourself, as supporting someone else can be stressful.
Losing someone to suicide
Losing someone to suicide can feel different from other types of bereavement.
Autistic people may:
- need clear information about what happened
- replay events and conversations repeatedly
- people may also feel shocked, experience confusion, guilt, or anger
This type of grief can feel harder because:
- there may be more unanswered questions
- some people avoid talking about the death
- there can be stigma (negative attitudes)
It is important to remember:
- it is not your fault
- you did not cause the death
- you could not control another person’s actions
Click the following link for information about bereavement (how a person feels after another person dies)
Click the following link for services and resources to support with emotional health:
www.leicspart.nhs.uk/autism-space/health-wellbeing-resources/
Key points
- Suicide is when a person takes their own life
- Autistic people may face higher risk due to life challenges and lack of support
- Warning signs are not always obvious, so always take concerns including suicidal thoughts seriously and act on them
- If you feel suicidal, tell someone and get help immediately
- Use clear, direct communication when supporting an autistic person
- Losing someone to suicide can bring complex feelings and may differ from other grief
You are not alone. Support is available, and things can change with the right help – even if it does not feel that way right now.
