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Autism and Mental Health

Mental Health and ASD

ASD is not a mental health condition itself, but people with a diagnosis of ASD can be affected by mental health conditions, just like everyone else.

Autism and mental health (youngminds.org.uk)

 

How common are mental health problems in people with ASD?

According to Autistica, it is thought that 1 in 100 young people in the UK have been diagnosed with Autism, 7 in 10 have a mental health problem and 4 in 10 experience anxiety disorders.  

 

What are some of the common mental health conditions in people with ASD?

The most common mental health problem for Autistic people is Anxiety, anxiety (autism.org.uk) but other mental health conditions such as depression, depression (autism.org.uk) OCD, ocd (autism.org.uk) or eating disorders eating disorders (autism.org.uk) may develop.

We All Have Mental Health

Below is an animation created by key stage 3 young people, designed to help young people to understand what is meant by ‘mental health’ and what can be done to look after it.

Headscape video:

How do I know if I have a mental health condition?

Click on the link below to find your symptoms:

Feelings and symptoms (youngminds.org.uk)

Or take the Headscape quiz:

Headscape (headscapegreenwich.co.uk)

 

Find out More about Autism and how to get a diagnosis

Links to ASD Diagnosis on Local Offer

Link to National Autism Society

 

Worried about your mental health?

If you have any concerns you are suffering from a mental health condition, there a various way you can help yourself and get the help you need. Firstly, it’s important that you do not keep your feeling to yourself. Mental health conditions are nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to someone you trust; they will be able to help you.

-Parents/careers or an adult family member

-Friends

-A member of staff whom you trust e.g., form tutor, teacher.

-School/College SENCO

-School/College Counsellor/mental health team

-GP

-You may be refereed to CAMHS (The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)

 

Other services available:

Greenwich Time to Talk 16 years and above:

Greenwich Time to Talk | Greenwich Community Directory

The Deborah Ubee Trust Counselling Service:

thedeborahubeetrust.org.uk

Rosebud Centre:

Rosebud Centre for Girls – Blossoming Into Womanhood

South London Counselling Services:

South London Counselling Services – Counselling Therapy That Heals (slcservices.org)

The Samaritans:

Contact Us | Samaritans

 

If talking to someone is difficult for you, there are support services you can access via text:

Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

  • If you need urgent help text YM to 85258.
  • All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
  • Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus

 

Kooth.com is a free, online counselling service and forum for young people aged 10-25. Kooth is an anonymous site which helps children and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support.

Watch the video here: Home - Kooth

Good Thinking (good-thinking.uk) is an NHS approved digital wellbeing website promoting good mental health.

Shout 85258 a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service.

Childline:

1-2-1 counsellor chat | Childline

The Mix:

Speak to Our Team - The Mix

 

Are you concerned about the mental health of a person with ASD?

If you’re a parent/career of someone you’re worried about:

-Talk to the school SENDCo

-Parents Helpline - YoungMinds

 Apps:

Good Thinking has searched high and low for the best apps to support your mental wellbeing – and the good news is, they’re free for young Londoners! Check them out here.

If you want to know more about how you're feeling, get information about a mental health condition or know what support is available to you, visit Youngminds Find Help guides.

Find Help

Behaviour Support

The Royal Borough of Greenwich endeavours to support Greenwich schools to remove barriers to learning for individuals or groups who are demonstrating social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties.

Click here to visit our Behaviour Support page on the Local Offer