Resources and support: times of crisis

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, I am truly so sorry that you are in a place of such distress.

I am afraid that I am unable to help you myself, but I urge you to reach out to your usual sources of support and/or contact someone at one of the helplines below.

(If you're a professional looking for resources about suicidality, go to this page).

Note: I am so sorry that these helplines and textlines are not tailored to autistic people. Sadly, no dedicated services exist for autistic people in crisis, to my knowledge. Please do not let this prevent you reaching out to them, as some people find them helpful.

Text the Crisis Hotline (UK) 24/7 on 85258

Call the Samaritans (UK) 24/7 on 116 123

Call or text Papyrus's Hopeline (9am-12pm) on 0800 068 41 41 (phone)

or 07860 039967 (text)

For men: Campaign Against Living Miserably have a helpline (5pm-midnight) on 0800 58 58 58

Suicide Stop have an online webchat, though operators may not be present 24/7. Mind also have an online forum.

Finally - you can call your country's emergency services (999 in the UK; 911 in the USA)

Please note these phonelines are UK-centric.

Phonelines and textlines:

If you would prefer to look at content online, some of which is autism-specific:

The National Autistic Society's advice around suicidal thoughts and feelings: "Try and speak about your feelings to someone you trust. Take things minute by minute, and try to challenge the negative thoughts you are having about yourself." There are links to many autistic accounts of experiencing and overcoming suicidal thoughts.

Apps:

Samaritans,

creative apps,

Stay Alive,

NHS

Mental Health Autism - MHA offer resources for autistic people, their loved ones and clinicians / professionals. You may like to fill in a safety plan so that when you feel suicidal, you know exactly what to do to stay safe. Fill one of these in with a supporter when you are in a calmer place, so that you can turn to it in a crisis.

Sometimes, it means so much to know that other people have experienced similar feelings. You might like to watch these videos of autistic mental health champions . You might also like to explore the website of Lisa Morgan, an autistic survivor of suicide.

Mind's crisis pipeline and this one from Rethink Mental Illness can help you work through suicidal feelings.

Samaritans advice page on suicidal thoughts

Resources and support: times of crisis

Phonelines and textlines:

Download these resources as a PDF here.

Were any of these resources helpful? Please leave me a comment to let me know.