Neurodivergent conditions – such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia – are constantly overlooked in conversations about suicide awareness, which is not only frustrating but dangerous. In the UK, studies show that autistic people are almost ten times more likely to die by suicide than their neurotypical peers. Why is this hardly addressed?
This harsh reality is then made worse by the fact that many neurodivergent individuals go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, which often leads to mental health issues that could have been addressed earlier.
The current mental health support system is failing to adequately treat neurodivergent individuals.
Studies show that adults with a late ADHD diagnosis are more likely to suffer with anxiety disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts. When someone struggles without a clear understanding of their neurodivergent condition, they are left feeling isolated, hopeless, trapped, feeling alien and overwhelmed. This is not only a personal struggle, but a societal failure to recognise and support diverse neurotypes.
It’s clear that we, as a society, need to make some drastic changes when it comes to educating ourselves about neurodiversity. These conditions are not illnesses to be treated or cured – they are variations in human cognition and behavior that NEED understanding and acceptance. I often break it down with the phone analogy – Android phones and an Apple phones both process information differently. Just because one doesn’t operate like the other doesn’t mean that one is wrong or broken. We need to learn to adapt our society to accommodate these differences, rather than forcing everyone into a neurotypical mold.
In a world where we pride ourselves on progress and understanding, i find it bizarre that neurodivergent conditions still get swept under the rug in conversations about suicide prevention. People can’t keep excluding neurodivergent experiences from this suicide crisis like it’s not a major factor – I believe even a basic understanding can make a difference. We need to start advocating for a more inclusive approach to mental health that recognises neurodiversity.
Here’s some questions I think people need to start asking:
- Why are we still ignoring neurodivergent conditions when discussing mental health and suicide?
- What are we doing to ensure that mental health services are inclusive and effective for those with neurodivergent conditions?
- Why are we waiting for tragedy to strike before we act on the evident gaps in mental health care for neurodiverse individuals?
- Why do we allow misconceptions and stereotypes about neurodiversity to persist, contributing to feelings of isolation and despair?
- How can we better adapt our societal structures to accommodate different ways of thinking, instead of forcing everyone to conform?
- Does anyone know or even bother about The Equality Act 2010?
- What are we doing to ensure that mental health professionals are adequately trained to understand and support neurodivergent clients?
- What accountability measures are in place for mental health services that fail to address the needs of neurodivergent individuals?
- What accountability measures are in place for general businesses and services that fail to address the needs of neurodivergent individuals?
I worked in a prison for 22 years teaching and the majority of men were autistic, ADHD, dislexic. Most had complex needs that are not addressed only with drugs. We must start to change this and bring awareness as a lot of these men do not belong in prison.
I believe in all areas we have a long way to go. I think it all begins with people, including myself being able to say that we are neurodivergent. At the moment, I am only managing to tell health care professionals.
I had a serious breakdown in my late twenties, along time ago, things were different then, but I believe a huge contributing factor was being undiagnosed at that age. Fortunately, there is slightly less stigma about pursuing a diagnosis, but a very long way to go. In my late twenties I also had suicidal ideation and can really relate to this article, at the time I just felt I could not fit in, it was awful. I really hope things will begin to change, my very small contribution is to try my best to start telling people who I feel comfortable with that I am neurodivergent.
Some really great points here, I must say the phone analogy is by far the best I’ve come across!
The whole system needs to change. We all know somebody who self medicates yet the first thing you get offered when you visit a GP is medication?! Myself included.
Thank you for always shedding light on the dark.
Wow you’ve done it again, some extremely valid questions we must be asking and pushing for change that we deserve.
As a dyslexic,dyspraxic severe ADHD i cant say for all of us how badly we can be treated on the mental health wards and the community.
This is so educational and inspirational.