Prompted by the struggles of close friends wrestling with mental illness, Cole Murphy (NEURO ’25) has become deeply interested in understanding the neuroscientific complexities of suicidal ideation. Working closely with Dr. Jared Nielsen, Murphy chose to explore the relationship between stress, resilience, and suicidal ideation in autistic young adults. “Research has found that people with autism are at a significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation compared to the general neurotypical population,” Murphy reveals. “That really caught my attention—especially because it made me think about how specific populations face unique challenges or risk factors that often go unnoticed.”
In order to confirm each participant’s baseline, a comprehensive intake survey was taken at the beginning of the study, which included an initial resilience score. The autistic young adults then completed daily surveys over a six-month period in which they were asked to describe their stress levels (rated on a scale from 0 to 100) and whether they had experienced suicidal thoughts that day (a yes/no question). “There was a lot of data to work with,” Murphy remembers, “especially regarding the relationship between daily stress levels, initial resilience, and suicidal ideation.” He hypothesized that higher stress levels in autistic young adults would be associated with an increase in suicidal thoughts, while higher resilience would be associated with a decrease. Murphy found that an individual’s perceived personal resilience was not associated with whether or not they experienced suicidal ideation. However, stress had a significant association, often serving to increase an individual’s suicidal ideation.
The study focused on two types of stress: daily stress (comparing one day to another for the same individual) and average stress (comparing a person’s overall stress levels across the entire study period to others in the study). “We found that a one-point increase in an autistic young adult’s daily stress level was associated with a 67% increase in the likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts that day,” Murphy shares. “Additionally, a one-point increase in an autistic young adult’s average stress level was linked to a 195% higher chance of having suicidal thoughts.” Murphy’s study revealed that the risk of suicidal ideation for autistic young adults suffering from increased stress, which stems most commonly from a sense of thwarted belonging or perceived burdensomeness, rises sharply.
Armed with this new knowledge, Murphy feels strongly that providing autistic young adults with opportunities for connection, support, and friendship is not only advisable but essential. For autistic individuals who often face social isolation, misunderstanding, and a lack of inclusive spaces, Murphy believes the impact of meaningful relationships can be lifesaving. “This study has taught me that people with autism really need community,” Murphy shares. “This means not only making it more accessible for autistic individuals to form relationships but also educating neurotypical people on how to better understand autism and respond with empathy.” Murphy also emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations about suicide, describing trainings like QPR—Question, Persuade, Refer—which facilitate open conversations with those contemplating suicide, creating a space between thought and action where help and healing can begin. “Especially for people with autism,” Murphy explains, “who may have difficulty expressing their feelings or knowing how to bring them up, it’s important that we’re patient and proactive in making sure they feel safe and understood. Just having someone who’s willing to listen without judgment can make all the difference.”
The relevance of the research became all the clearer to Murphy when he presented his findings at the life sciences poster competition. Out of the 74 presentations taking place, his won first place in the oral presentation category and received an honorable mention for the poster design. Murphy believes his presentation resonated because of the combination of personal relevance and hard data, but also as a result of the influence of the holy spirit. “I think this study has helped soften people’s hearts and give them a better sense of how to support others,” Murphy says with a smile. “I’ve seen people respond with genuine gratitude for the study and an eagerness to learn more. That kind of openness and willingness to understand is a really hopeful sign.”
Just having someone who’s willing to listen without judgment can make all the difference.
Murphy plans on continuing to work on suicide prevention research while pursuing his masters in Washington, D.C. Through his research, Murphy hopes to foster an accepted practice of inclusion and understanding that emphasizes viewing people the way God views them—beyond diagnosis, difference, or struggle, embracing instead each person as inherently worthy and whole.