Many of us deal with mental health struggles and may be suffering in silence. Maybe we feel like others won’t understand or we may not have an adequate support system to rely on. These struggles are often further compounded by additional conditions like traumatic brain injury or autism, which makes people living with them at higher risk of suicide. For Suicide Prevention Month, we will be looking into some the conditions we provide services for, to help you understand how they may be more vulnerable to suicide and the ways they can be supported.
Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Research conducted by organisations such as National Autistic Society and University of Glasgow, show that individuals with autism and ADHD are at higher risk of suicide than those who are neurotypical. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are a significant concern among autistic adults in particular. Research suggests that between 11% and 66% have experienced suicidal thoughts during their lifetime, while up to 35% have reported making a suicide plan or attempting suicide. But why is this the case?
Many people with autism and ADHD do what is known as ‘masking’. This is when a person supresses natural behaviours to them and instead mimics behaviours that may not come naturally to them or, to be accepted socially. This could be at work school or with peers. For many, this done daily, whenever interacting with others, often for extended periods of time. This can be mentally exhausting to maintain, leading to burnout, social isolation or even suicidal ideation, which neurodivergent individuals may also tend to involuntarily hyper fixate, on especially if undiagnosed or lacking adequate support.
Furthermore, alexithymia, is a symptom that makes it difficult for someone with autism to identify their feelings and thus, makes it difficult to know when they are in crisis. This may make them less likely to seek help.
What Needs to Change?
There are currently no treatments or prevention strategies specifically designed to address suicide in neurodivergent people. A lack of professional knowledge and understanding of Neurodevelopmental Conditions can create further barriers to support, with many neurodivergent people being overlooked because they may not appear ‘autistic enough’. Actively spending time with neurodivergent individuals to understand their experiences and what accommodations can be made for them can go a long way. Since neurodivergence is a spectrum and looks different for each person, this time spent can help those in their support system understand their specific needs, which can then inform priorities when searching for support. This is also why person-centred support is so crucial.
Dementia
Suicide risk may also increase following a dementia diagnosis, particularly among people with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. This is more likely to occur in those who have experienced these symptoms repeatedly throughout their lives. For others, the emotional distress associated with changes in memory, independence and sense of self may contribute to depression and suicidal thoughts.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, deaths by suicide have been found to increase following an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, with the highest risk reported among people aged 65 to 74 and during the first 90 days after diagnosis.
Research published in 2022 by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Nottingham found that people diagnosed with young-onset dementia were almost seven times more likely to die by suicide than expected. Almost 2% of those included in the study died by suicide. The researchers identified several factors associated with increased risk, including being under 65, being within the first three months of receiving a diagnosis, and having a history of psychiatric illness.
Dr Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, highlighted the additional challenges faced by people with young-onset dementia: “As dementia is often associated with older people, there is a profound level of stigma attached to young onset dementia, and the process of getting a diagnosis can be frustrating and incredibly isolating.”
What Help Is Available
Alzheimer’s Society offers a dementia advisor helpline, to offer expert advice for any dementia needs. Dementia support groups also provide a means to listen to and share your experiences with others who are also living with dementia. Feeling seen and understood by those who are going through something similar can help to reduce isolation, providing emotional support and a sense of community.
Spinal Cord Injury
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights neurological impairment following spinal cord injury or head injury as a potential risk factor for suicide in their suicide-prevention manual for primary healthcare professionals. It details a correlation between the severity of the injury and the risk of someone taking their life.
Comprehending a life-changing injury can be an incredibly tumultuous journey. Beyond the physical challenges, people living with spinal injuries can face profound emotional and mental health struggles as they adapt to a very different way of life. Yet, many people are finding it increasingly difficult to access the vital health and social care they depend on. According to the Spinal Injuries Association, more people living with long-term injuries are struggling to access the specialist support they need, leaving some to face the challenges of life after injury without the help they deserve. In their ‘What Matters Survey 2026’, 65% of spinal injury participants shared that they had experienced challenges with their mental health.
We all know that a spinal cord injury leads to life-long paralysis or the loss of use of certain motor functions. However, many don’t consider the inability to function sexually or loss of bladder control and the mental toll these symptoms can have. Coming to terms with the drastic change in their bodies is difficult, but many people with spinal injuries also experience dramatic changes in their social lives and personal relationships.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Research from the Danish Research Institute of Suicide Prevention highlighted that experiencing a traumatic brain injury was associated with an increased risk of suicide, rising from around one in 200 people to one in 100. Like spinal cord injury, the dramatic shift in one’s life, socially and physically is an isolating experience for many.
Following a brain injury, memory problems, depression and difficulties within relationships can all have a profound impact on a person’s confidence, independence and sense of self. These challenges can, in turn, contribute to the development of depression and suicidal thoughts.
You Are Not Alone
Support groups, such as Spinal Injuries Association for spinal injuries, Headway for those with brain injuries, can provide a community of people who truly understand what life after a life changing injury can feel like. For many, simply knowing that they are not alone can make a profound difference. Support groups also offer the opportunity to share experiences, practical advice, encouragement and reassurance based on real-life, first-hand experiences.
Remember that support groups aren’t always about focusing on the challenges, they can also be a place for laughter, connection, encouragement and shared experiences. Setting aside just a couple of hours each week to chat with others can provide a much-needed sense of belonging and have a far greater positive impact on someone’s wellbeing than you might imagine.
You can also learn more about how SweetTree supports these different conditions. If you’re in need of emotional support or at risk of suicide, reach out to Samaritans today.