Abortion can lead to mental illness
From Peter Ould
Not some mindless opinion but the considered research of the Royal College of Psychiatrics:
Women may be at risk of mental health breakdowns if they have abortions, a medical royal college has warned. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says women should not be allowed to have an abortion until they are counselled on the possible risk to their mental health.
This overturns the consensus that has stood for decades that the risk to mental health of continuing with an unwanted pregnancy outweighs the risks of living with the possible regrets of having an abortion.
This is hugely important because MPs will vote very soon for a reduction in the time imit for abortions. Pressure is growing from all sides to reduce the limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks as evidence mounts that not only can children who are 21 weeks survive early birth, but also that they experience great pain during any abortion. A clear majority in the country agree with MP Nadine Dorries on this:
As an amendment to the bill it could get only an hour of debate, but it is one about which the public feels strongly. A YouGov poll for The Sunday Times today shows that 48% of people say they would support Dorries’s measure – a figure that rises to 59% among women – while 35% would keep the limit at 24 weeks; 8% would ban abortion altogether.
See though the arrogance of the Government on this - a discussion about reducing the legal limit on abortion gets only 60 minutes debate, despite the fact it is one of the ethical hot potatos of the moment. Presently women who come looking for an abortion are given only scant information about counselling and other options and that is unacceptable. The Royal College of Psychiatics agree:
The Royal College of Psychiatrists recognises that good practice in relation to abortion will include informed consent. Consent cannot be informed without the provision of adequate and appropriate information regarding the possible risks and benefits to physical and mental health. This may require the updating of patient information leaflets approved by the relevant Royal Colleges, and education and training to relevant health care professionals, in order to develop a good practice pathway.
Watch the attempts this week of the Government Minister Dawn Primarolo to stamp out this amendment to the bill. Heaven forbid she lets professional medical opinion get in the way of political expediency and dogma.
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