How people with autism access mental health services specifically suicide hotlines and crisis support services, and current approaches to mental health care : a scoping review
- Authors: Cleary, Michelle , West, Sancia , Hunt, Glenn , McLean, Loyola , Hungerford, Catherine , Kornhaber, Rachel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 43, no. 12 (2022), p. 1093-1106
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: For people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the risk of mental illness, including suicidality, has a higher prevalence than the general population. This scoping review explored how people with ASD access suicide hotlines/crisis support services; and current approaches to delivering mental health services (MHS) to people with ASD. A search identified 28 studies meeting the selection criteria with analysis revealing four key findings. The support received by the person with ASD influenced how they accessed MHS; people often encounter barriers to accessing MHS; a separation exists between autism and MHS; and no studies on accessing or delivering MHS through crisis hotlines. The presence of such autism-specific crisis hotlines and the dearth of studies suggest a void in the existing research. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
A Scoping review of autism and the way it changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared to the general population
- Authors: Cleary, Michelle , West, Sancia , McLean, Loyola , Hunt, Glenn , Hungerford, Catherine , Kornhaber, Rachel
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Issues Mental Health Nursing Vol. 44, no. 4 (2023), p. 282-301
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Autism spectrum conditions are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that carries an array of co-occurring diagnoses, including a heightened risk of suicide attempts and suicide. This scoping review examined primary research focusing on autism and suicidality, to understand what is currently known on the topic, including how autism changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior and to assess the suicide awareness and prevention education programs currently available for autistic people, their families, and health professionals and support workers. A comprehensive search (November 2021) across Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL identified 39 articles from 38 studies. Three themes emerged, with five subthemes. 1. The prevalence of suicidality in autistic people 2. The presentation of suicidality in autistic people, including (a) risk of suicidality (b) gender, age, employment and education (c) co-occurring psychiatric conditions (d) autism traits and social communication (e) intellectual disability and 3. Autism-specific approaches to suicidal thoughts, behavior and prevention. Findings were mixed, including conflicting evidence on the risk of autism and suicidality, and limited evidence of resources related to autism-specific suicide awareness or information, and education or prevention programs.
Two halves of the same whole : a framework to integrate autism and mental health services
- Authors: Cleary, Michelle , West, Sancia , McLean, Loyola , Kornhaber, Rachel , Hungerford, Catherine
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 44, no. 2 (2023), p. 93-103
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Given the higher rates of co-occurring mental health issues experienced by autistic people, there is a pressing need to implement an effective framework that integrates autism services with appropriate mental health services. This paper discusses the impact of mental illness on the person with autism and their families, and the current challenges they face when accessing mental health support. A framework for service providers is proposed to support the mental health needs and preferences of autistic people. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of health professionals utilising mental health interventions appropriate for autistic people, including autism-specific suicide prevention and awareness programs. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.