(UK) Huff Post: Suicide in the autism community: 'Hoorific' rate

Nov 29, 2017, Huffington UK: 'Horrific' Suicide Rate Among Autism Community Must Be Tackled, MPs Demand The suicide rate among the autism community is higher than in the wider population. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/autism-suicide-mental-health-mps_uk_5a1f30d5e4b0392a4ebaebe9 The “horrific” level of suicides in the autism community needs to be urgently confronted, MPs from across the political spectrum are urging the Government. The SNP’s Dr Lisa Cameron will lead a debate in the Commons calling for the Government to do more to provide support to those on the autistic spectrum who also suffer from mental illness. She will be backed up by Conservative MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who has described the suicide rate in the autism community as “truly shocking” and questioned whether the NHS was serious about tackling the issue. A 2016 study in Sweden revealed suicide is a leading cause of premature death in people with autism spectrum disorder, while research from Coventry University in 2014 showed 66% of adults newly diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome reported having contemplated ending their own lives. … Yet according to the National Autistic Society, more than 70% of those with autism will suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives.