World Suicide Prevention Day: Neurodivergence and Suicide

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and it's a day that brings home some hard truths: the stark reality of suicide among neurodivergent individuals. While this day serves to remind us all of the urgent need to tackle mental health crises, it’s also a moment to think about how neurodiversity and suicide prevention are deeply linked. It’s not an easy conversation, but it’s one we need to have—honestly and with compassion.

Facing the Hard Facts

The statistics around suicide and neurodivergence are sobering. Neurodivergent people—those who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, or other forms of neurodiversity—are at a much higher risk of suicide than their neurotypical peers. Here are some of the most shocking statistics:

• Autism and Suicide: Autistic adults without intellectual disabilities are up to 9 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Among autistic women, this risk is particularly high; studies show they are 13 times more likely to die by suicide than neurotypical women (Hirvikoski et al., 2016). A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that nearly 66% of autistic adults have contemplated suicide, compared to 17% of the general population, which is almost four times higher than in the neurotypical population (Cassidy et al., 2014).
• ADHD and Suicide: Individuals with ADHD are approximately 5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those without ADHD. This risk is especially pronounced in children and adolescents with ADHD when co-occurring conditions such as depression or conduct disorders are present (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2019). Additionally, a meta-analysis of studies found that 30% of individuals with ADHD have attempted suicide at least once in their lifetime (James et al., 2022).
• OCD and Suicide: Studies show that 72% of individuals with OCD experience suicidal ideation, and 36% have made at least one suicide attempt. This risk increases when OCD is accompanied by other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety (Fernandez de la Cruz et al., 2017).
• Lack of Adequate Support: Up to 75% of autistic people do not have access to appropriate mental health support or interventions that cater to their specific needs. This significant gap in specialised support often leads to increased feelings of isolation and hopelessness (Autism Research, 2018).
• Neurodivergent Youth and Suicide: A study highlighted that nearly 50% of autistic youth (ages 10–24) have considered suicide, and 28% have attempted it. The statistics are even more severe for those who are also diagnosed with ADHD or other mental health conditions (JAMA Pediatrics, 2019).

These statistics make it clear that neurodivergent people face unique and profound challenges that significantly impact their mental health and well-being.

Why the Higher Risk?

There are several reasons why neurodivergent folks might be more vulnerable to suicide:

1. Constant Misunderstanding and Stigma: Neurodivergent individuals often face profound misunderstanding, whether in personal relationships, at work, or within wider society. This misunderstanding leads to stigma, which can result in social isolation, discrimination, and barriers to accessing the right care.
2. Masking and Burnout: Many neurodivergent people feel pressured to ‘mask’—to hide or downplay their true selves to fit in with neurotypical expectations. This is exhausting and unsustainable, often leading to burnout—a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that can heighten thoughts of suicide.
3. Lack of Access to Proper Mental Health Support: Many mental health professionals lack training in the specific needs of neurodivergent people. This can mean that those seeking help don’t always get the support that resonates with their experiences, which can increase feelings of hopelessness and being misunderstood.
4. Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are more common among neurodivergent people, and this can compound the risk of having suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

What Can We Do to Help?

Understanding the higher risks is just the start. Here are a few practical steps employers, colleagues, families, and communities can take to support neurodivergent individuals and help prevent suicide:

1. Create Safe, Inclusive Spaces: In workplaces, homes, and communities, we need to build environments where neurodivergent people feel safe to be themselves. This means challenging stigma, promoting acceptance, and making it clear that neurodivergence is not a deficit but a valuable difference.
2. Promote Access to Specialised Mental Health Care: Mental health providers should have training specific to neurodivergence. Therapy and support systems need to be accessible and tailored to the unique needs of neurodivergent people.
3. Support Open Conversations About Mental Health: Encourage open, honest conversations about mental health and suicide without fear of judgement. When people feel safe to speak about their struggles, they’re more likely to seek help.
4. Address Workplace Stressors: At work, managers and colleagues should be alert to the signs of burnout and offer support. This could mean flexible working arrangements, clear communication, and an understanding of the unique challenges neurodivergent employees may face.
5. Encourage Self-Advocacy and Empowerment: Empower neurodivergent individuals to advocate for themselves. This can include access to accommodations in workplaces or schools, guidance towards supportive communities, and creating environments where they feel confident expressing their needs.

A Call to Action

On World Suicide Prevention Day, let’s commit to more than just raising awareness—let’s aim for action and change. Suicide isn’t only a mental health issue; it’s a societal one. The higher rates of suicide among neurodivergent people reflect systemic failures: failures to understand, support, and value these lives as they are.

We need to demand better. Better understanding, better support, and better systems that recognise the unique needs and strengths of neurodivergent people. Let today be a reminder that, while the statistics are shocking, our capacity for empathy, advocacy, and real change is immense. Together, we can build a world where every mind—neurodivergent or otherwise—feels valued, understood, and deserving of life.