Autistic Miss World finalist attempted suicide after sad school years without friends

Autistic Miss World Victoria contestant Laura Younger has spoken out about her lifelong struggle to fit in or find a friend, which ultimately led to a suicide attempt, and has called for more understanding of those living with autism.

Miss World Victorian finalist and model Laura Younger is autistic and says she struggled with never being able to make friends growing up. Picture: Jason Edwards

For 13 years of her school life, beauty queen Laura Younger sat alone; friendless.

In a heartbreaking admission, the Werribee model - who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at 13 – has told of feeling so outcast, and so lonely, for so long, she attempted suicide when she was 20.

Now 23 and one of 15 Victorian finalists to make it through to the next round of Miss World Australia, Ms Younger said she wanted others feeling suicidal to hold on to hope, knowing life could get better.

Reports of young people with autism attempting to take their own lives, and a recent suspected suicide, had inspired her to speak out about her own school experiences and mental health battles.

Laura Younger says she never had friends in primary school or high school because she was autistic.

Looks, she said, “didn’t count for anything” during her school years, when she didn’t have a friend.

“Having friends is such a big need for people with autism because we struggle with so much, and because we struggle, our mental health sometimes isn’t great,” Ms Younger said.

“Through all my primary and high school years, I never fitted in.

“I would go to school and not talk to anyone, all day.

“I never had a best friend or someone to play with. I was never part of a social group ... so I have a lot of empathy for others who are experiencing that,” Ms Younger said.

After sitting alone at recess and lunch times all through her school years, and then struggling with a nursing degree because she was “horrible” at placements, her mental health had spiralled downwards, she said.

Her suicide attempt three years ago had been preceded by years of suicidal thoughts, and was followed by a period in hospital.

“Looking back, I just felt like I had no one, no friends, nursing wasn’t going great . . . and I just couldn’t imagine what sort of workplace I’d ever fit into,” Ms Younger said.

Things had looked up after she dropped out of nursing and started an information technology degree, got a boyfriend and made the first real friends of her life, she said.

Younger was a model before joining Miss World Australia.

Younger quit her nursing degree because she struggled during placements.

In 2018, she starred in a reality modelling show called Miss Multiverse Australia and, now, had progressed in the Miss World Australia competition.

Like many people with Asperger’s syndrome, picking up on social cues and making casual conversation, remained a challenge and she often struggled to understand what people were asking of her, but life was getting easier, Ms Younger said.

“I’ve had to study a lot, learn about things like small talk. I didn’t even know what that was before . . . and I guess I’ve just learned to live with it (autism) better.

“It’s still very hard for me to relate to other people and make friends . . . it’s actually very hard for me to compete in Miss World and I’m surprised I got in,” she said, adding this year was the first time the selection process had been held virtually.

Autism Spectrum Australia’s Dr Trevor Clark said the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents with autism, was “a real concern” .

Ms Younger says she still struggles to relate to people and make friends.

One in 70 people in Australia were on the autism spectrum, with half experiencing anxiety and one in three suffering depression.

“These rates are nearly twice as high as those of non-autistic young Australians,” he said.

Nearly 70 per cent of teenagers with autism reported they felt lonely and nearly 60 per cent wanted help to cope with bullying, he said.

Ms Younger said Miss World Australia, which had the motto “beauty with a purpose” required contestants to fundraise for a charity and she had chosen Variety Australia, which supported sick, disadvantaged and special needs kids.

To help Laura raise money for her charity click here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and at risk of suicide call Lifeline on 13 11 14, headspace on 1800 650 890 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800

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