Understanding Trust in Crisis Mental Healthcare Services in Autistic Individuals

Autistic adults without intellectual disability experience suicidality at significant higher rates than the general population. Despite this, there is a lack of research and understanding in what contributes to this increased prevalence rate and the best ways to support autistic individuals experiencing suicidality. The goal of this study is to better understand autistic adults experiences with crisis care and mental health services, the trust in these services, and the role it may play in increased rates of suicidality among autistic adults.

• 18 or older
• Autistic (formally or self diagnosed)
• Reside in the United States.
• Have personal experience with crisis intervention services for emotional and/or psychological distress.
• Willing and able to participate in 10 minute online survey.
• Have access to the internet.

Participants will complete a 10 minute online survey. There will be multiple choice and written response questions about experiences with crisis services (police, mobile crisis, 988/crisis lines, emergency department, inpatient psychiatry) and the trust the participant has in these services.

This study is important to the autistic community because it looks to understand the experience and trust the autistic community has in crisis/mental health services and how these services can be improved to better support autistic adults experiencing suicidality and to develop an overall better understanding of suicide in this community.