Welcome to the Mental Health in Autism Website
University of Nottingham
Mental Health in Autism (MHAutism) is a research group exploring the unique challenges autistic adults face in relation to mental health problems, self-injury, and thoughts about ending life. We want to understand why autistic adults experience these difficulties so we can lobby for better support to improve quality of life for autistic people.
Recent Publications
NEW! Townsend, E., Nielsen, E., Allister, R., Cassidy, S. (2020). Key ethical questions for research in the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Lancet Psychiatry.
NEW! Pelton, M., Crawford, H., Robertson, A.E., Rodgers, J., Baron-Cohen, S., & Cassidy, S. (2020). A measurement invariance analysis of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale in autistic and non-autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood.
NEW! Cassidy, S. A., Bradley, L., Cogger-Ward, H., Shaw, R., Bowen, E., Glod, M., ... & Rodgers, J. (2020). Measurement properties of the suicidal behaviour questionnaire-revised in autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
NEW! Pelton, M., Crawford, H., Robertson, A. E., Rodgers, J., Baron-Cohen, S., & Cassidy, S. (2020). Understanding suicide risk in autistic adults: Comparing the interpersonal theory of suicide in autistic and non-autistic samples. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
recruitment open for research study!
We want to learn why autistic and non-autistic adults self-harm. This will help us develop better understanding and support for autistic and non-autistic adults who self-harm. You can find out more about the study and how to take part here.
INSAR Policy brief published!
The MHAutism team have published a policy brief funded by the International Society for Autism Research, Autistica and the Economic and Social Research Council: "Autism Community Priorities for Suicide Prevention". You can find out more about our policy brief work here.
new measurement tools available!
The MHAutism project has developed two new tools to measure suicidal thoughts and behaviours, self-harm, and depression, with and for autistic adults.
These tools are free to use for research and educational purposes. You can find out more about these new tools here.
support in uncertain times
The MHAutism team are busy developing support with and for autistic people in the current pandemic.
Sarah Cassidy and Mirabel Pelton, held an online webinar: "Autistic Social Belonging and Connectedness in Uncertain Times". This webinar was organised and hosted by the charity Autistica. Sarah and Mirabel discussed practical evidence based tips for keeping social connections in the current pandemic, and answered questions from the audience. You can view the webinar here.
We launched a new community project, to help us stay connected and understand what belonging means in these times. See our project page for more information and how to get involved in this Coventry City of Culture project!
You can also access other helpful information and support tailored for autistic people in the current pandemic in our resources pages here.
MHAutism recognised with national award!
On behalf of MHAutism and all our supporters, Sarah Cassidy accepted a National Autistic Society Professionals Award, in the "Most Impactful Researcher" Category! This is an astounding achievement and amazing recognition for everything the MHAutism team have achieved in partnership with autistic people and those who support them. We look forward to continuing to work together to prevent self-harm and suicide in autistic people.
See our awards page for more details and a complete list of all our awards.