AFTER-ABORTION GROUPS SHOW REAL LIFE EVIDENCE OF STUDYLINKING ABORTION AND DEPRESSION

Higher Rates of Depression Persist Over At Least Eight Years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) - Agencies whichassist post-abortive women have concurred with a recent study published

in the January 22 edition of the British MedicalJournal. The study examined anational sample of 1,086 American women who had a

history of unintended first pregnancies. Depression scoresrevealed that women who had abortions experienced a significantly higher

risk of clinical depression compared to women who deliveredunintended pregnancies.

Psychotherapist Dr. Theresa Burke, founder of Rachel'sVineyard post-abortion ministries, said she has seen many women haunted by

depression after abortion. More than 6,000 women haveparticipated in Rachel's Vineyard retreats that are held throughout the

country. "Most of the women I have counseled experienced moderate to severedepression at some point after their abortions," said

Burke, who co-authored the new book Forbidden Grief: TheUnspoken Pain of Abortion with the lead author of the study. "Sadly, many

found their experiences dismissed by their families,friends, and even their therapists. Their grief is often ignored."

The study's lead researcher Dr. David Reardon said,"These findings are consistent with other research linking abortion tohigher

subsequent rates of suicide, substance abuse, and otherpsychological reactions." Reardon, who is also the director of the Elliot

Institute noted, "What makes this study especiallyimportant, however, is that it looked at depression rates for a number of years

after abortion and reveals that the link between abortionand higher depression rates persists over at least eight years."

At the National Memorial for the Unborn in Chattanooga,Tenn., thousands have placed the names of their aborted children on a 50-foot

granite "Wall of Names." According to thememorial's administrator, Rita Siegler, "When couples see that their childand their

experience with abortion is validated and treated withdignity and respect, this can help them attain a greater level ofhealing."

See the study in the British Medical Journal:

http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/324/7330/151?lookupType=volpage&vol=324&fp=151&view=short