Safe, evidence-based support to help autistic young people feel connected, improve mental health and reduce suicide risk

Tellmi is a safe, inclusive digital communication platform where autistic young people can connect safely and anonymously in age-banded groups. 100% human pre-moderation and preemptive counsellor intervention reduces suicide risk in autistic young people.

Over-indexing: 18% of Tellmi users are autistic

In Tellmi’s 2024 Impact Survey (N=1200), 18% of respondents have a diagnosis of autism compared to just 1.8% of young people in the UK population. A further 27% of respondents believe that they are autistic, but don’t have a formal diagnosis.

Increasing connection and reducing isolation in autistic youth

Research conducted with the Autism Research Centre (N=1880) at the University of Cambridge in 2023 found that using Tellmi increased connectedness, reduced isolation and broke down barriers to communication for speaking and non-speaking autistic youth. 

Providing new insights into suicidal thoughts and behaviours in autistic youth

2024 analysis of Tellmi data by the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge is informing understanding of key predictors of suicidal behaviours in autistic young people. 

Delivering evidence based digital peer and counsellor support to autistic youth

Tellmi is commisioned by the NHS in the UK to deliver effective early help support to young people aged 11-25. In 2022, the Evidence Based practice Unit at University College London found statistically significant evidence that using Tellmi improves mental health in young people. 

Tellmi Research

  • Number of respondents to the Tellmi Impact Survey (2024) who have an autism diagnosis

    In Tellmi’s 2024 Impact Survey, 18% of respondents said they had an autism diagnosis (N=1200)

  • A further 27% believed that they were autistic, but did not yet have a diagnosis

  • In Tellmi’s 2023 Autism Study, 90% of autistic respondents said they struggled with anxiety (N=886)

  • In the Tellmi Autism Study (2023), 51% of respondents said that they experienced suicidal thoughts

  • In the Tellmi Autism Study, 61% of respondents said that they self-harmed

  • “Tellmi is at the vanguard of deep digitisation of the mental health care pathway.”

    Nigel Lambert

    Innovate UK

  • “We are so pleased to be working with Tellmi. This is one of the few platforms where young autistic people can connect with each other, feel less isolated, and benefit from peer support. Our ongoing research is evaluating if Tellmi is reducing the mental health crisis that so many autistic people experience.”

    Professor Simon Baron-Cohen

    Director of the Autism Research Centre,  at the University of Cambridge

  • Tellmi mental health support

    “I just wanted to say thank you to everyone in the Tellmi community for being so kind and caring. I don’t know if I would be alive right now if I never downloaded Tellmi, so thank you so much to everyone who has helped me.”

    Autistic tellmi user, age 14

“ I didn't know Ruby was using Tellmi and I obviously checked iti out to make sure everything was above board, as you do, especially as a parent of an autistic teenager. I was really impressed with the app. I think Ruby likes it because it makes her feel safe and it has allowed her to connect with other people her age who have similar problems, so she doesn’t feel so alone now. She has been a different kid since she started using Tellmi. She really has. She's been a lot more open. She's just a different kid. If that's what Tellmi can do, I 100% encourage it.”

Mike, Ruby’s dad.