Transforming suicide prevention for Autistic people
University Research Theme: Healthy people, families and communities
Our research has identified that Autistic people are up to five times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Despite this, most suicide prevention tools fail to reflect Autistic ways of communicating or experiencing distress, leaving critical gaps in clinical care.
Associate Professor Darren Hedley, Dr Claire Brown, Dr Simon Bury, and their colleagues, published two neurodiversity-affirming, clinical suicide prevention screening and assessment tools, co-designed with Autistic people, to ensure they are relevant, accessible, and effective. Our Autistic and lived experience peers shaped the development of these tools by refining language, clarifying terms, and adapting scales to better reflect Autistic communication and experience.
Impact
Suicide Ideation Attributes Scale – Modified (SIDAS-M) – Screens for suicidal thoughts and behaviour in Autistic and neurodivergent adults.
In Australia, Bendigo Health’s Suicide Prevention and Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement teams use the SIDAS-M. Clinicians report increased confidence, improved preparedness, and a greater ability to support Autistic individuals during crisis.
Internationally, the tool has been translated into Dutch and adopted into the Flemish Suicide Prevention Strategy, supported by national e-learning modules and professional guidelines:
- Guidelines for healthcare and support professionals (2023, pgs. 34 & 63)
- Guidelines for healthcare providers (2024, pg. 21)
- A national e-learning module that supports guideline implementation in practice.
Suicide Assessment Kit – Modified Interview (SAK-MI) – a professionally administered, clinical interview designed to assess suicide risk in Autistic and other high-risk populations (Video summary).
Internationally, SAK-MI has been translated into Norwegian for use in national suicide prevention efforts and is currently under-review for use in the United Kingdom.
Both tools, including training videos and accompanying resources, will be made freely available on the National Autism Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resource Hub, launching in February 2026.
As a world first, the hub will also provide free, lived experience-led, neurodiversity-affirming training to mental health professionals, ensuring inclusive, informed care for Autistic and neurodivergent people during moments of crisis.
Supporters
Suicide Prevention Australia, Untapped Holdings, OTARC, Monash Health, Barwon Health, Amaze, Aspect, Healthy Autistic Life Lab
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