Ipas LAC

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Abortion and mental health

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Abortion, myths and stigma, Human rights, Safe Abortion, Self-managed abortion, Sexual and Reproductive Rights

– Stigma and criminalization of abortion are factors that can have an emotional impact on those who decide to terminate their pregnancies.
– When abortion is performed under safe, legal conditions, with complete information and based on scientific evidence, and with the techniques recommended by the WHO, there are no negative consequences on integral health, including mental health.
According to data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), depression ranks first in mental illness in the region, and is twice as frequent in women as in men. As part of World Mental Health Day, this October 10, we address the importance of the link between the context in which voluntary abortions occur and the mental health of those who have abortions.

According to the Ipas Latin America and the Caribbean (Ipas LAC) publication, “Abortion and mental health“However, there is no evidence of a causal relationship between induced abortion and mental health problems. On the contrary, it has been found that the stigma and social prejudice for having an abortion are triggers for the emotional distress that some people who terminate their pregnancies may feel.

Voluntary abortion becomes a traumatic experience in the absence of social and emotional support networks, according to the study “Emotional Experiences in the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy“. In regions where conditions are unsafe, where there is criminalization, stigma and strong gender stereotypes (as is the mandate of motherhood), abortion experiences become negative and can profoundly affect the mental health of women and others with the capacity to bear children.

Below, we share some recurring scenarios that may affect the mental health of those who decide to terminate their pregnancies, as well as solutions that imply a change in values and beliefs, but also in policies and social norms that protect their reproductive health and rights.
3 misconceptions we must change in favor of the mental health of those who have abortions

1. Barriers to abortion access: The criminalization of abortion instills fear, a sense of loneliness and prevents pregnant women from seeking health services and facing unsafe abortions. Access to abortion is not only limited to legislation and health services, but also includes the entire social component that limits the free exercise of this right, such as myths, stigmas and gender stereotypes.

– The decision to terminate a pregnancy is the decision of the pregnant woman alone. Health personnel and society in general must respect her choice, without generating blame, mistreatment, violence or discrimination.

2. Negative beliefs: When people’s own beliefs about abortion are negative, they experience an internalized stigma that provokes feelings of guilt, shame and self-criticism. Similarly, they experience fear of stigma and rejection in their social environments, especially from their family.

– The process is facilitated by the fact that people feel ownership of their bodies and their decisions, as well as perceiving the support of their environment.

3. Lack of information and mistreatment by health personnel: stress, anger, worry and fear of social judgment are caused by lack of information, poor care, lack of transparency about the process, violation of confidentiality, security and privacy. Likewise, the lack of empathy, impersonal treatment -translated into obstetric violence- by healthcare personnel can produce feelings of judgment, loneliness and sadness, in some cases leading to depression.

– Transparency and continuous and comprehensive assistance with the procedure can help reduce stigma. The attitudes of health personnel make a difference through respect for people’s decisions, understanding, empathy, personalized assistance and attention to specific needs.

Breaking down these barriers has a positive impact on people experiencing empathetic abortion processes; without stigmas, with necessary care, without criminalization or judgment.

In contexts where women and others with the capacity to bear children have mental health problems due to criminalization, stigmatizing discourse, lack of access to quality health services, information and trust, the States must respond by guaranteeing comprehensive care, with access to mental health services and measures that guarantee the reproductive rights of those who decide to have an abortion. For years, abortion escort networks have taken on this task by providing support, accompaniment and guidance. Ipas LAC has an interactive map where it is possible to identify them by country: abortioninmipais.ipaslac.org