Autism and self-harm

Content note: This episode includes discussions of self-harm, suicide and mental health crises. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Please take care of yourself while listening and consider whether this is the right time for you to engage with the conversation.

In the first episode of season six, Catherine talks to Dr Rachel Moseley-Braund, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University, whose research focuses on mental health and wellbeing in autistic people, with a particular interest in self-harm, suicide prevention and understanding the factors that contribute to autistic distress.

Together, Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund discuss why autistic people may be more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts, including the impact of anxiety, depression, trauma, social isolation, inequality and difficulties accessing appropriate support. They explore why self-harm is often misunderstood, and how it may serve different functions for different people, including managing overwhelming emotions, meeting sensory needs or finding temporary relief from distress.

They explore the different ways self-harm and self-injurious behaviours can present in autistic people, including behaviours that may be visible to others and those that happen privately or remain hidden. Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund also discuss the language used to describe self-harm, why terminology can sometimes be confusing, and the importance of understanding the individual rather than making assumptions about their behaviour.

They discuss how environmental factors, traumatic experiences and a lack of understanding or acceptance can contribute to mental health difficulties, and why improving wellbeing requires looking beyond the individual to the environments and systems around them.

Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund also talk about protective factors that may support autistic mental health and they explore how parents, carers and professionals can recognise potential warning signs of escalating distress. They also discuss what autism-affirming support can look like when someone is struggling with self-harm or experiencing a mental health crisis, and encourage listeners to approach autistic mental health with compassion, curiosity, hope and understanding.