COLUMBUS, OH [August 14, 2008] – Heartbeat International is disappointed by the American Psychological Association (APA) report that claims there is “no credible evidence that a single elective abortion of an unwanted pregnancy in and of itself causes mental health problems for adult women.” APA’s reporting of no mental health problems for women who have one abortion will perpetuate the dangerous problem of failed treatment for those who suffer from their decision to abort a child.
Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. makes the following comments:
“The mental pain of abortion, documented in many studies, in testimonies of women who have had abortions, and referenced by the US Supreme Court in its decision to uphold the ban on partial birth abortion, is both real and devastating. The women themselves are at the very heart of this devastation and many have not recovered from the depression, anxiety, stress, or hopelessness that abortion leaves in its wake.
“Dr. Brenda Major, a psychologist specializing in stress at the University of California Santa Barbara, headed up the APA panel to research the effects of abortion on mental health. Dr. Major has a history of being used specifically by pro-abortion groups to refute studies that conclude that abortion does indeed cause a host of mental issues.
“The saddest part is that we see women in our pregnancy centers who have been treated for years for depression, addictions, suicidal ideation, and sexual dysfunction. Counselors never ask if they have had an abortion, so they do not get to the root of the problem during treatment. The danger of this report is that it will perpetuate the practice by psychologists and counselors of ignoring the root issue of abortion.
“It is an unfortunate fact that many of the abortion clinics in this country refuse to give women the full story when it comes to abortion - not only the possible physical effects but also the emotional ramifications. Groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL repeatedly lobby against legislation that would require women to be completely informed before having an abortion or parents to be notified if a child wants to have an abortion. What are the clinics trying to hide that abortion profiteers must fight so hard against a woman receiving comprehensive information about the abortion choice?
“Abortion is a devastating decision, not only for the preborn child but also for its parents. We hope women will use the services available to them, including pregnancy resource centers like those affiliated with Heartbeat International, before considering abortion. And for women who have had abortions, Heartbeat affiliates are compassionate people who understand the importance of providing a loving and nonjudgmental place for you to find healing.”
Read more about how abortion hurts women.
Abortion: A mental health risk? “When scholars on both sides of the ideological spectrum question objectivity, it is time to go back to the drawing board.“ Read more by Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology and fellow for psychology and public policy at Grove City College's Center for Vision and Values.
Post-Abortion Women Challenge Psychologists’ Claim of ‘Harmless’ Abortions
