April 2010
A University of Manitoba study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry confirms a strong association between abortion and mental disorders.(1) Post-abortive women are more likely to experience mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and suicide attempts, than women who have never had an abortion.
Researchers from the university's psychology and psychiatry department, as well as obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, found that depression and drug dependence followed
abortion in about half of the women studied.
Angelina Steenstra, national coordinator of Canada's Silent No More Awareness Campaign, told LifesiteNews.com that the study is validating for the many men and women who suffer after abortion. Based upon her experience, the disorders identified by the researchers are the direct result of abortion.(2) Steenstra had an abortion after being date-raped when she was 15 years old. She has suffered both physical and psychology consequences from that experience, including and ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and a depression that lasted for years. "The claim that abortion is safe is not true. Women are still dying from abortion, even though it is supposed to be legal and safe," said Steenstra. "It's dangerous for women psychologically...Its's dangerous on the level of relationships. It was dangerous for me physically."
The Manitoba study will help raise awareness of the negative effects of abortion, enabling post-abortive men and women to recognize the connection between abortion and problems they have experienced afterward. Then they can begin the journey of healing with the assistance of programs specializing in post-abortion care such as Rachel's Vineyard.
(1) Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010 Apr:55(4) 239-47: Associations between abortion, mental disorders, and suicidal behaviour in a nationally representative sample, Mota NP, Burnett M, Sareen J., Dept of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
(2) www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10043012.html