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Visiting Parliament alongside bereaved parents – asking Government to step up for autistic people

Note: Content mentions suicide and may be distressing

Suicide prevention was debated in Parliament this week, prompted by World Suicide Prevention Day

We took the opportunity to deliver a letter to Baroness Merron, who has responsibility for suicide prevention, highlighting the failings of the Government’s action plan and calling for improvements.

The full letter can be read below, and is signed by four bereaved parents, including Sharren Bridges and Sue Willgoss, pictured, as well as Julia Caro and Lisa Wolff. We are grateful to each of them for working so tirelessly to drive change, and hope that by working together we are more likely to make that change a reality.

Sharren Bridges and Sue Willgoss stand outside Parliament holding Autism Action banners reading 'Autistic people deserve action to prevent suicide'.
Sharren Bridges (left) and Sue Willgoss outside Parliament before the debate in the House of Commons

Listening to those with lived experience

"It seems that more people will need to die before the Government will address the lack of support and many ways that autistic people and people with learning disabilities are failed. The fact that there have been thousands of preventable deaths, including my 17-year-old daughter Jen’s, should be plenty enough evidence for action to be taken and significant changes made by central and local government. There must be change as there has been enough devastation to prove that the current systems are failing vulnerable people.

How many more preventable deaths must there be before there is significant change to the way the Government treats autistic people and people and learning disabilities? Love you always Jen, Mummy x”
Head and shoulders photo of Sharren Bridges with Parliament buildings in background
Sharren Bridges
Mum of Jen Bridges-Chalkley, who died by suicide aged just 17​
“I promised Danny while holding his hand the night he died that I would make change in his memory and something positive must come from his death. Danny was a young man who had achieved so much despite being failed by the services supposed to support him and as a young person with an EHCP of which no provision was provided. Many missed opportunities were spoken of at his inquest that may have helped him, including his missed Annual Review and being failed by education since Year 3. Something must be done now so our autistic children and young people are not disadvantaged from the start. Appropriate and adequate education, mental health and Social Care support are essential from the earliest opportunity. This will save lives.”
Head and shoulders photo of Sue Willgoss with Parliament buildings in background
Sue Willgoss
Mum of Danny Willgoss, who died by suicide aged 25
Page 1 of a letter to Baroness Merron. For full text email info@autismaction.org.uk
Page 2 of a letter to Baroness Merron. For full text email info@autismaction.org.uk

A message of hope

It doesn’t have to be this way. Autism Action is committed to saving lives by acting on community priorities for suicide prevention in autistic people. The charity has invested significantly in academic research that will help understand and raise awareness of the problem, is supporting the development of autism adapted suicide safety plans, and partnering with Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide to help promote greater awareness of the issues facing autistic people and to ensure more is done to keep them suicide-safe. 

Further actions designed to save lives will be announced in the coming months. Anybody who’d like to support this work can join the Autism Action Community Advisory Panel here.

Are you struggling right now?

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, please reach out for help. We know this can be difficult, and past experiences can sometimes make us think others can’t help. However, many, many people do find support and move past these difficult times. If you need them, we have some ideas for where you might find help on this page.

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