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The Truth on Suicide and the Autism community

     Suicide? What is that word? Well, in my definition, it's an unhealthy coping mechanism that a person does when they can no longer bare the trauma or pain that they are enduring or have to heal from. However, what most don't know is that it affects a lot of marginalized groups and communities around us. For example, the Autism community. 


     Who are the Autism community? 

  We are a community filled with people that all share different experiences in living with a disability called Autism. 




     What are the statistics on Autism and being vulnerable to suicide or suicide ideation? 

  According to Psychology today, the rate for Autistic people having anything to do with suicide is higher in than their peers, who are neurotypical. In fact, from this website, it says that it was revealed that 10.7% of Autistic people, including those without a formal diagnosis, but displayed traits, died to suicide. With 41% of those without a formal diagnosis, actually displayed having traits of autism spectrum disorder. Now, with that said, it is also noted that any Autistic person can be vulnerable to suicide ideation, suicide, or suicidal thoughts. Though, though it is also stated somewhere that, those who were more likely to be this way were Autistic woman and Autistic people who had a comorbid intellectual disability. 


    What are the reasons for this? 

There are many possible triggers for this, like according to Psychology Today's research:

  • Difficult life events
  • Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression
  • Feeling alone or hopeless about life
  • Delays in receiving a diagnosis.
  • Isolation
  • Camouflaging/Masking (It is a known fact that a lot of Autistics mask subconsciously or may do it in fear of ableism, etc.)
Those these are some possible situations to name a few, but some can be things like the lack of support or poor physical health as well. 




What can we do as a society to help? 

 All I can say is check on your Autistic friends, relatives, or people you know that are Autistic as well. Life is hard, unfair, and challenging for anyone, let alone a struggling Autistic person. So, with all my heart, I will repeat my message and say to check on the people you know, who are Autistic, and may be struggling. 


My message for my fellow Autistics  

  For my fellow Autistics, no matter who you are, I hope you have support and are able to do something with your life. Life is hard and it can be harder for us as well. However, I want you to know that you matter, you always do, always will, and always have, even if it doesn't seem like it. Trust me, as an Autistic person, I struggle sometimes with seeing the good, even with an anxiety disorder too. Now, if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or are thinking of doing some sort of suicide ideation, please call a suicide hotline or if you are in the USA, please call 988, it's a nationwide network of local crisis centers that can provide you with free and confidential support 24/7, even for Autistic people, like me and you. So, please, if you need someone to talk to, talk to them, they want to help, I promise. 


And that's it, if you liked post, follow, comment, and share for more! Thank you and I'll see you in the next post, my lovelies! 

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