Suicide risk prevention autistic lisa morgan

EPISODE 62
Suicide Risk and Prevention for Autistic Individuals: A Discussion with Lisa Morgan

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Show Notes

Autistic individuals are more likely to attempt suicide at rates alarmingly highly than in the non-autistic population. In this episode, Barry and Dave discuss critical issues regarding suicide and mental health with autistic professional, Lisa Morgan, based on her personal experiences and her professional mission to educate others around the risk factors and prevention. In particular, Lisa advocates for approaches that are based on the unique experiences of autistic people, she challenges approaches to prevent suicide that are not well adapted to autistic people, and she discusses the concept of a strength-based approach to suicide prevention.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Lisa Morgan’s website
American Association of Suicidology – Autism Resources

Featuring

Lisa Morgan Headshot

LISA MORGAN

Lisa Morgan is a consultant specializing in crisis supports and suicide prevention for autistic people. Lisa is founder and co-chair of the Autism and Suicide committee at the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and has developed several autism specific resources for communicating and supporting autistic people in crisis. A self-advocate with a passion for strengths-based solutions, Lisa has authored several books, articles, and resources all available on her website, www.autismcrisissupport.com. She is a community council member of AASET (Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engaged Together) a group of autistic adults informing autism research priorities. Lisa has a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching, is a certified autism specialist, and is a peer reviewer of the online journal, Autism in Adulthood. Lisa enjoys being outdoors, owls, and loves the color purple.

Lisa on Linked In
On Facebook
Life Through the Lens of Autism Facebook Page
On Instagram

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

  1. What is your understanding of the unique risk factors experienced by autistic people that may underlie suicide ideation and attempts? Do you observe some of these factors in people you know or in your own experiences?
  2. Lisa’s personal experiences have motivated her to educate others about the importance of suicide prevention tailored to autistic people. What did she experience directly that has resulted in her dedication to this mission? Do you observe efforts to increase awareness of suicide risk and prevention for those who share their lives with autistic people?
  3. What is a strength-based approach to suicide prevention and how is it different from approaches recommended for the general public? Do you use or observe strength-based approaches being used successfully to support emotional well-being?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.