According to a new research published in the journal Autism, individuals with autism lack access to effective mental health support, increasing their risk for self-harm and suicide.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham, Coventry University and the University of Cambridge conducted a survey evaluating mental health, self-injury and suicidality in 200 adults with autism in collaboration with an autistic steering group across 6 discussion groups.
The findings showed that individuals with autism felt that mental health support was not for ‘people like them’. Reasons for their beliefs included not knowing where to seek help, being seen as ‘too complicated’ to help, ‘high functioning’ individuals with autism being misperceived by professionals as ‘coping’ even when struggling, support directed towards children, lengthy waiting lists and inadequate funding.
Dr Sarah Cassidy, the lead author, said: "We found overwhelmingly that autistic people want and need mental health support but that is just isn’t available in a way that is accessible to them, something that we feel needs to be urgently addressed.” The authors emphasise the need for tailored treatment pathways within mental health services for individuals with autism.
