September 16, 2025AutismOpen Access

‘I did not think they could help me’: Autistic adults’ reasons for not seeking public healthcare when they last experienced suicidality

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Survey reveals key reasons behind autistic adults' reluctance to seek NHS support for suicidality, indicating critical barriers to help-seeking.

Many autistic adults believe they cannot receive help, indicating widespread perceptions of NHS inefficacy.
Participants cited self-management of feelings as a primary reason for not seeking help, emphasizing personal coping mechanisms.
Barriers to access differ based on gender identity, age group, and previous experiences with the NHS.
The study calls for urgent reforms in the NHS to create a more supportive environment for autistic individuals in crisis.

Procyshyn et al. (2025) studied this question.

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Survey reveals key reasons behind autistic adults' reluctance to seek NHS support for suicidality, indicating critical barriers to help-seeking.