Robin Atkins, LMHC begins her presentation by discussing the APA’s stance on abortion. She states the APA should have been concerned with the psychological effects around abortion, however they gave into more of the ideology of abortion with statements such as, “abortion is necessary for poor women,” and also declaring adolescents have a “constitutional right to make decisions regarding their reproductive health.”
David Fergusson was the first one to step in and begin to refute the APA statements surrounding abortion and the impact surrounding that abortion. His research leans towards informing women of potential mental health outcomes when it comes to abortion, and states “there is evidence pointing in the direction of harmful effects.”
Shortly after, Coleman, provided a direct link between abortion and suicide. Her study shows there is 155% increase in suicidal behaviors among women impacted by abortion. This research was disputed by the abortion industry but was quickly defended by Fergusson.
There are several more studies that speak to the correlation between abortion and suicide:
- In 1995 – a study was done on women without any pre-existing psychological illness and 70 % of those women had an increase of risk of deliberate self harm after an abortion when compared to women who birth.
- In 1996 – a Finnish study was done that reported 34.7% of 100,000 women committed suicide after abortions (most within the first 2 months)
- In 2006 – Fergusson did another study that showed that there is a 4x greater risk for suicide after abortion when compared to never being pregnant. Additionally, there is a 3x greater risk for suicide after abortion when to women whom deliver,
- In 2010 – Another study showed a 59% increased risk in suicidal ideation, 5.8% of this number is directly attributed to abortion.